Hens need safe, secluded spaces to lay their eggs safely, making the ideal nesting box all the more important. Unfortunately, however, chicken nest boxes come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and designs - it can be challenging selecting which ones would best fit with your flock's needs. That's why we created this ultimate chicken nesting box guide. We hope it helps you select the appropriate boxes for you coop and flock.
Consider these points when selecting nesting boxes for each chicken in your flock:
First and foremost, take into account the size of your flock; smaller breeds such as Silkies and bantams require smaller nesting boxes while large chicken breeds such as Cornish Rocks require larger ones that provide ample height clearance for nesting purposes.
As part of your plan for egg collection and cleaning, consider how accessible the nesting boxes are. An ideal nesting box will be located inside rather than in a run, ideally low enough for easy reach without stooping or crouching, and also lower than any roosts to protect from being covered with chicken poop dropped while sleeping hens sleep.
Consider whether or not you prefer traditional wooden nesting boxes or more modern metal ones when choosing your nesting box for your bird. Wooden boxes tend to harbor bacteria and mildew more easily, necessitating frequent cleaning sessions and disinfections; metal nesting boxes on the other hand are easily cleanable and less susceptible to mold growth.
