A nest is an important part of a chicken’s environment. It provides a safe, comfortable place for hens to lay eggs and in some cases, raise chicks. Understanding what makes a good nest and proper nesting conditions is crucial for backyard chicken keepers and commercial egg producers alike. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about chicken nesting behaviors and best practices for nest box setup and maintenance.
What is a Nest?
A nest refers to a secluded space where a chicken can comfortably lay eggs. In the wild, chickens nest on the ground in long grass, in the cavities of trees, or under brush. A makeshift nest provides protection from predators and harsh weather while also keeping eggs concealed. The ideal nest has a floor substrate that holds some warmth while allowing the egg to roll into place as it is laid.
Domestic chickens exhibit the same nesting preferences and behaviors as their wild counterparts. While they no longer need to protect eggs from predators, nesting remains an important part of a chicken’s natural reproductive process. Providing nest boxes allows them to satisfy their instinctive need for a safe, private space to lay eggs.
Natural Nesting Behaviors
Nesting behaviors begin hours before a hen is ready to lay an egg. Here is a look at the nesting process:
Seeking: As her ovulation cycle progresses, a hen becomes increasingly interested in finding an appropriate nesting site. She may pace in and around the coop, appearing restless.
Inspecting: The hen checks out potential nesting sites, evaluating the location and materials. She looks for a site that feels private, safe, and comfortable.
Hollow Scraping: Once satisfied with a spot, the hen uses her feet, wings, and beak to scrape out a shallow, egg-sized depression in the nesting substrate.
Treading: She continues working the nest, rotating in circles with her feet to further shape and warm the nest. Treading stimulates egg laying hormones.
Laying: When ready to lay, the hen settles into the nest and pushes out the egg. The egg rolls gently into the hollow she created.
Evaluating: Before leaving, she inspects the egg for any abnormalities. If satisfied, she departs the nest.
This entire process takes between 30 minutes to over an hour. A hen will typically lay one egg every 1-2 days. Not every egg is laid in a nest box; sometimes a hen selects secluded, improvised sites. Stress, illness, age, and flock hierarchy can also interfere with proper nesting behaviors.
Benefits of Providing Nest Boxes
Here are reasons every chicken coop should have dedicated nest box areas:
- Increased Egg Production: Nest boxes satisfy hens’ natural behaviors. Minimizing stress supports hormone production and consistent ovulation cycles resulting in more eggs.
- Reduced Floor Eggs: Floor eggs are dirty, prone to breakage, and may encourage egg eating. Nest boxes contain the mess.
- Easier Egg Collection: Gathering eggs from designated nests takes a fraction of the time versus hunting for eggs scattered in the coop.
- Lower Feed Costs: Wandering hens waste energy. Nest boxes keep them settled before egg laying, reducing overall feed requirements.
- Discourages Broodiness: Floor nests in corners or against walls increase the likelihood of broody behavior. Proper boxes help hens maintain focus on egg laying.
For both backyard and commercial flocks, installing nests provides benefits that impact egg production, hen health, and management efficiency.
Location Considerations for Nest Boxes
To attract hens, nest boxes should be positioned in desirable areas of the coop. Here are some nest box placement tips:
- Install boxes at the hens’ normal head height for easy entry. They should not need to fly or jump inside.
- Place boxes away from high traffic areas but still easily accessible to hens.
- Avoid corners and narrow spaces between walls and feeders/roosts.
- Orient entry holes away from the feeder or waterer.
- Set boxes away from direct drafts but not in the warmest part of the coop.
- Make cleanout access easy for the caretaker without disturbing hens.
Pay attention to where chickens voluntarily nest if allowed to brood. This reveals their ideal sites and can guide where to position new nests. Arrange boxes in multiple low traffic zones to give subordinate hens sufficient options. Discourage floor laying or broodiness by making nests readily available.
How Many Nest Boxes Are Needed?
The optimal number of nest boxes depends on the size of your flock:
- 3-5 Hens: 1 box
- 5-10 Hens: 2 boxes
- 10-15 Hens: 3 boxes
- 15-20 Hens: 4-5 boxes
The general recommendation is one box for every 2-3 hens. However, more dominant hens may lay in the same box consistently. Providing extra boxes reduces competition and gives timid hens places to nest in peace. It’s better to have too many usable nests than too few.
Nest Box Size Recommendations
Nest boxes should be sized appropriately for the breed of chicken:
Chicken Breed | Floor Space |
---|---|
Bantams | 12″ x 12″ |
Light Breeds | 12″ x 12″ |
Medium Breeds | 12″ x 14″ |
Heavy Breeds | 14″ x 14″ |
As long as boxes provide adequate floor space, hens don’t mind crowding together. However, boxes that are too cramped can deter timid hens and increase fighting. The overall coop size and number of birds will dictate what dimensions work best.
Nest Box Height Requirements
The nest box should be high enough that chickens can easily enter but not so tall that the hen struggles to use it:
- Bantams: 10-12 inches tall
- Light Breeds: 12-14 inches tall
- Medium Breeds: 14-16 inches tall
- Heavy Breeds: 16-18 inches tall
Low nests discourage roosting and perching. High walls provide more privacy and prevent litter from spilling out. But very deep boxes with narrow openings can be difficult for hens to navigate.
Nest Box Floor & Litter Recommendations
The nest floor should be lined with an appropriate litter substrate. Good nesting materials:
- Absorb moisture and odors
- Provide some cushioning
- Allow eggs to roll free when laid
- Retain some warmth
- Are easy to replace between cleanings
Common nest litter options:
- Wood Shavings: Absorbent, affordable option that allows eggs to roll cleanly away.
- Straw: Chopped straw makes an excellent nesting substrate though less absorbent than shavings.
- Sand: Fine sand offers an alternative substrate for nests. Requires more frequent changing.
- No Litter: Bare plastic, metal, or wood floors work but require diligent cleaning.
3-4 inches of litter is sufficient. Providing more risks hens scratching and fouling up the nests. Do not use fabrics, towels, or terry cloth that can harbor bacteria. Exchange litter frequently to keep nests clean and prevent parasite issues.
Common Nest Box Styles
Here are some popular nest box designs:
Standard Wood Boxes: Basic wooden boxes are the simplest DIY or commercial option. They are mounted at hen height inside the coop. Front panels allow access to collect eggs. Excellent for small backyard flocks.
Rollout Nest Boxes: These specialized boxes slide horizontally on a track for easy cleaning. The lining pans detach for litter swaps between cycles. Useful for managing lots of boxes.
Communal Boxes: Long boxes with multiple compartments allow groups of hens to lay in privacy. Dividers provide personal nest spaces within the unit.
A-Frame Style: Triangular boxes with a sloped front maximize space utilization in the coop. Hens enter through the angled opening.
Raised Boxes: Elevated nests with a ramp prevent floor eggs. The upward climb gets hens in the mindset for laying. Better for timid hen flocks.
Free-Standing Nest Stands: Portable wooden nesting stands hold boxes and place them at customizable locations as needed. Allow flexibility if coops get reconfigured.
With a bit of carpentry skill, it’s easy to build functional nests. Or ready-made nests can be purchased. Focus on creating boxes suited to your specific breed and flock.
Tips for a Successful Nest Box Setup
To make nest boxes irresistible to hens:
- Line the floor with 3-4 inches of inviting litter material like shavings, sand, or straw.
- Consider incorporating fake eggs or golf balls to show hens where to lay.
- Dimly light the nest areas compared to the rest of the coop.
- Diffuse ventilated air over the boxes but avoid direct drafts.
- Place attractive treats like oyster shell grit inside boxes as an added enticement.
Monitor where chickens voluntarily nest when first given access to boxes. Adjust positioning if needed until the hens readily use the provided nests.
Training Hens to Use Nest Boxes
Usually, hens naturally seek out enclosed nest spaces. But pullets raised without exposure to nests may require some training:
- Set boxes low at first (6-12 inches high) so pullets notice and explore them.
- Temporarily confine pullets near the boxes when signs of being egg-bound first appear.
- Add decoy eggs to show it’s a laying spot. Nesting herbal extracts can also attract them.
- Discourage floor eggs by removing hay/litter where they initially lay.
- Monitor boxes daily and adjust as needed until consistently used.
With some guidance, pullets quickly learn to prefer nests. Nest box training establishes good laying habits early on.
Keeping Nest Boxes Clean
Dirty nests deter hens and lead to fouled eggs. Follow these nest box cleaning tips:
- Check boxes daily to remove manure before it piles up.
- Discard extremely soiled litter and any broken eggs.
- Add fresh litter as needed to maintain 3-4 inches depth.
- Wash plastic/metal nests with soap and disinfectant weekly.
- Clean wood boxes monthly with gentle detergent and let fully dry.
- Change out litter completely every 2-4 weeks.
A quick daily nest check makes thorough cleans easier. Good litter management limits pests and harmful bacteria. Provide clean nests so hens always have sanitary places to lay eggs. Monitoring nests also helps identify health issues that could impact laying.
Nest Box Maintenance
In addition to cleaning, nests require some routine maintenance:
- Check litter depth. Refill thin, compressed litter to 3-4 inches.
- Inspect + repair boxes. Fix holes or damaged parts where needed.
- Watch for pests. Treat nests for mites and beetles if found.
- Adjust lighting. Maintain dim conditions using covers or bulbs.
- Remove caked manure. Clean corners and lips where hens perch.
- Check for mold. Discard musty litter and identify moisture sources.
Monitoring and making timely fixes keeps nests in top condition for continuous usage.enery
Best Practices for Nest Box Management
Follow these tips for well-managed nest box areas:
- Install the right number of properly sized nests for your flock.
- Place boxes in optimal locations after observing hen preferences.
- Train young pullets early to lay eggs in provided nest spaces.
- Refresh litter regularly and remove soiled clumps/broken eggs daily.
- Follow a consistent nest box cleaning and sanitizing schedule.
- Perform routine maintenance checks and repairs as needed.
- Record laying productivity trends to identify potential nest box issues.
When nests are clean, comfortable, and suited to the breed, hens readily use them for maximum egg production. Proper nest box management improves flock health and makes egg collection easier.
Troubleshooting Common Nest Box Problems
Issues with nest boxes can arise. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
Hens perching/sleeping in nests: Cut a wooden dowel and place across front of box to deter roosting. Or limit access at night.
Predators eating eggs: Seal cracks, install fake eggs as decoys, or use traps to remove pests. Limit night access.
Hens fighting over nests: Add more small nest boxes. Keep boxes clean to reduce competition. Remove aggressive hens if needed.
Broken eggs: Increase nesting litter depth. Gently collect eggs often. Check for chickens entering/exiting nests too quickly.
Floor eggs: Make nests more attractive and appealing to lay in. Limit open floor access and add fake eggs to show it’s a nest.
Dirty eggs: Improve nest litter management. Keep walls from accumulating droppings. Check hens’ vent feathers for cleanliness.
Egg eating: Increase calcium and grit. Remove broken eggs promptly. Isolate offenders. Add fake eggs and monitor progress.
Hens refusing nests: Move/add boxes. Ensure adequate, clean litter. Exclude pests. Investigate and resolve underlying stressors.
Observe hen activity to identify causes of nest box issues. Make adjustments until hens are contently and consistently laying in provided nest spaces.
Conclusion
Providing proper nest boxes is one of the most important elements of housing for backyard and commercial poultry flocks. Chickens have a strong biological drive to seek out safe, comfortable nest sites for egg laying. Giving hens designated nest boxes that meet their preferences and instincts results in optimal egg production.
The ideal nest has ample space, clean litter material, and privacy curtains. Nest box placement depends on breed size, total hen numbers, and observing flock dynamics. Ongoing cleaning and maintenance are required to keep nests sanitary and attractive to hens. Following best practices for nest box design, location, training, and management will lead to a successful and productive nesting environment.