Chicken Nesting Boxes - Rules of Thumb

As a rule of thumb, you should create chicken nesting boxes to ensure that there is one box every four animals. Each box should be attached to the within the box, located approximately 18 inches and 24 inches above the ground so the eggs may possibly be easily grabbed and have a sloping top that slopes down to end up below the roosting perch since this is where chickens sit and lay their eggs into the poultry nesting boxes. In order for the hens to have a sitting spot, roosting perches must be built, no below 18 to 24 inches above the ground. Build them to ensure there has least 8 to 10 inches of perching area for every chicken.

Materials needed:

Exterior grade 2x4 plywood, unstained (12 inches deep, 12 inch width, 12 inch length on side mount to inside of chicken nesting box).
Build the roosting perch, about an inch up from one end of the nesting box so that the hen will sit on the perch and lay her eggs in the box.

Different types of perches:.

· Miniature chickens - use about an inch thick wood.
· Typical size chickens - use about 2 inch thick wood.
· Heavy breeds - use flat roosts and make their perches out of 2x4s with the wide side flat and corners rounded off.

An alternative to wood for the perch is tree branches. Remember that for cold climates, some farmers will make perches with flat 2x4 wood so the chickens can sit flat on their feet. This helps them keep their little feet snuggly.

To keep the boxes clean, you may want to put some roofing shingles or corrugated cardboard in the chicken nesting box. Cardboard is less advisable since the hens can start pecking and chewing on it and make it dirty, but if you do use it, see to it that you clean it often after the hens have pooped or "done a number 2" according to what part of the country you come from. If any one of the eggs crack in the chicken nesting box, this should be a red flag for bacteria growth - Clean it up as soon as possible since you want the cleanest environment for your chicken nesting boxes.

While making chicken nesting boxes could be difficult, remember that with the proper training this problem may be easily overcome. It may be made effortlessly if you have the right training!

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