Nesting Box: Quiet nests for clean eggs and relaxed laying hens

Nesting Box: A quiet place to lay

When it is time to lay, hens look for a dark, sheltered spot. A suitable nesting box offers exactly that and means the eggs are not left lying around the coop or the garden. With us you will find single, double and stacked nesting boxes in plastic, metal and wood, roll-away nesting boxes, nests with an egg compartment, models for inside and outside, with a perch or on legs. Nest pads and wooden dummy eggs complete the range.

Roll-away nests for clean eggs

In a roll-away nesting box the floor of the nest is slightly sloped. The freshly laid egg rolls into a covered compartment where the hen can no longer reach it. That way the eggs stay clean, are not pecked at and are not sat on. This is handy if you only collect once a day or if some hens tend to eat eggs. A nest pad cushions the floor and is easy to shake out and wash. Roll-away nests are also a good choice for broody hens you would rather not encourage, as the eggs disappear from sight straight away.

Where to put the nest

Place the nesting box in the darkest part of the coop, slightly raised but lower than the perches. Otherwise the hens will sleep in the nest and soil it. A wooden dummy egg shows young hens where to lay. Stacked and double nests save space in larger flocks. Nesting boxes for outside are a good option when there is little room left in the coop itself. Keep the nest area calm and away from the door, as hens like to lay where they feel undisturbed.

Frequently asked questions

How many nesting boxes do I need for 10 chickens?
As a rule of thumb, one nest is enough for four to five hens, so two to three nests for ten chickens. Hens like to lay one after another in the same nest, so more are rarely needed.

Why won't my chickens lay in the nesting box?
Often the nest is too bright, too high or in too busy a spot. Put a dummy egg inside, darken the nest and collect any eggs laid elsewhere quickly, and most hens soon change their habits.

What bedding should I put in a nesting box?
Straw, wood shavings or a nest pad have all proven their worth. What matters is a soft, dry base that you renew regularly, so mites do not settle in.