The debate over which came first, the chicken or the egg, is still a hot topic and will likely continue for generations to come. But if you are looking to jump in to the process with your own chickens, there are a few things that you should consider, starting with the benefits of chicken nesting boxes. Whether you have plenty of experience handling animals or you are just trying to break onto the chicken care scene, there are a few things to note.

The benefits of chicken nesting boxes

You may think that having a simple chicken coop and popping in to grab any new eggs will be a sufficient setup, but this is not a good idea. Hens need specific places to lay their eggs, and they need to be places that are comfortable but in areas that are separate from the the places that the hens eat and choose to sleep. There are many different types of chicken nesting boxes, and the type that you choose is going to depend on the type of facility you have for your chickens, and what you can provide for them, as well as your personal preference and style.

You can build your own wood or metal chicken nesting boxes, but make sure that you do the proper research ahead of time to guarantee the health and wellness of your feathered friends. The nesting boxes within the coop will allow your hens to lay eggs in comfort, and allow you to efficiently collect the eggs as well.

Should you use roll out nest boxes?

There are many benefits of chicken nesting boxes, especially if you decide to use the roll out nest box style. With this style, there is a slant or hole in the box to allow the freshly laid eggs to roll out and away from the box where the mother hen is nestled. The eggs are then collected in another box or tray below. If you choose the right materials and set up, this can allow the hen to be more comfortable, and it also keeps the eggs cleaner and less likely to break.

For any box, the chicken should have enough room to stand and maneuver in the box, but it should not be large enough for two chickens to comfortably fit. A pretty good standard size is 12 inches by 12 inches. You should have one box for every four or five chickens in the coop, and a few nesting boxes of slightly varying sizes, as different hens have different comfort levels and nest preferences. There should always be a minimum of two inches of dry, clean straw or shavings for the hens to comfortably sit and lay their eggs in. Make sure not to put the nesting boxes above the food or higher than the places the chickens like to sleep.

Starting your chicken and egg endeavor can seem a bit overwhelming at the start, but you will get the hang of it in no time. Just pay attention to the moods and behaviors of your hens, and alter the coop and nesting boxes as necessary until everyone stops ruffling their feathers and finds their comfort level.