Where do hens lay their eggs in a nest box?
JfJacobsz / Getty Images. If you keep chickens, you naturally would prefer that your laying hens deposit their eggs in the nest boxes you’ve provided for that purpose—not outside on the ground, in the corners, hidden in tall grass, in hay bales, or any of the hundreds of other places that seem to appeal to them.
Why do you need a nesting box for chickens?
This nest box plan will save your time and effort of hunting the eggs your hens are laying, here and there. Also, it will keep the eggs safe from breaking. Moreover, your hens will get a peaceful place to lay eggs, and they will never have to feel the discomfort of laying eggs where people are looking at them! grit
How tall should a nesting box be in a chicken coop?
Placement Ideally the boxes will be placed in an area of the coop that is fairly dark and not too busy. The height of the nest box should be no less than 18 inches from the floor and can be as high as a few feet off the ground. They should not be at the same height as your roosting bars or you may find your hens sleeping in the boxes!
How does a rollaway chicken nesting box work?
A rollaway box has a slightly slanted floor which encourages the egg to ‘rollaway’ from under the hen. This prevents pecking or accidental breakage from trampling and keeps the egg much cleaner. The eggs roll away to either the front or back of the box for easy collection by you. This is the fun part!
Is it OK for chickens to lay eggs in nest boxes?
Ideally, you want your hens to lay eggs in the nest boxes, not to use them as “home.”. If the nest boxes are their only place to sleep, the boxes will quickly become messy with feces, leading to dirty eggs. But if you provide enough roosting spots, the chickens are more likely to sleep on the roosts and reserve the boxes for laying eggs.
Why are all the eggs in one nesting box?
The hens simply agree with the earlier egg laying hens and add their egg to the clutch in one nesting box. This is also why some chickens will even climb into a box with a broody hen, squish together and and lay their egg with the broody.
Why are my chickens sleeping in their nesting boxes?
Chickens that develop a habit of sleeping in their nesting boxes often refuse to lay eggs there, possibly out of an innate sense of hygiene. When you notice your hens settling down to sleep in the nesting boxes rather than the roosts, shoo them out, or physically grab them and place them on the roosts.
What do I need to build a chicken coop nesting box?
Chicken Coop Nesting Boxes Plan Build a chicken nesting box in your chicken coop to give your hens a warm and favorable place to lay eggs. You can construct it without facing any hard time. Along with the pieces of lumbers, you will also need supplies like a hammer, tape measure, framing square, drill & sander. myoutdoorplans
