subject: Nesting Box For Your Chicken Coop Building Plans [print this page] To enjoy fresh eggs from your chickens you have to provide a balanced environment inside the chicken house and create conditions for triggering egg laying hens. On this page we're going to explore tips on how to select the right nesting box while building chicken coops.
It's important that you realize just how vital it is to have a nesting box, so that there's a specific place for your hens to lay eggs, and not all over the place. To make certain that doesn't happen, get a nesting box inside.
What size should it be? You could have one that can hold several hens and not just one. The most optimal size is 12x12x12. Why a single nesting box is actually enough for several chickens? As each hen will not lay at the same time, one box is sufficient for 3 chickens. Insufficient room will make the breeding box to overcrowded and thus result in chicken fights and crushed eggs.
Having your nesting box raised from the ground, keeps the chickens safer from predators. Do not place it too low. And if you have a roost, set it higher above the nest box.
You don't want chickens laying eggs on top of the nest box, so elevating the top will prevent that from taking place.
A nest box could be very easily created from items found in your house. You can use wooden drawer, packaging materials, and other wood items to build it yourself. One point to take note when building a nesting box is to use resilient materials as they last for years.
Keep in mind the location where you place the nesting box, as all birds, chickens love to lay eggs in dark, cozy corners of the coop. Make sure you have easy access to collect the eggs, because it's hard to get them from a nesting box. The best elevation for placing the nest is in between 18 to 24 inches above the ground, which will also help to make collecting the eggs easier for you.
Be sure to clean the nesting box on a regular basis, as you would your own house. Using cardboard inside the box is good, as the cardboard can be replaced frequently.
By taking the above mentioned points while selecting your chicken coop building plans, you can make or buy a nesting box that will be the perfect fit for your hen house.
