Nesting Box: The Quiet Retreat for Your Chickens

Nesting Box for Chickens – Relaxed Egg Laying

Chickens instinctively look for a dark, protected, and soft place to lay their eggs every day. If you don't offer them a suitable place, they often lay their eggs wildly in the coop or run, where they quickly get dirty or break. A species-appropriate nesting box solves this problem. It gives the hens the peace they need and gives them an absolute feeling of security, which has a very positive effect on laying performance.

Wood, Plastic, or Metal?

Classic wooden nesting boxes are very popular with chickens because the natural material retains heat and looks particularly cozy. However, if you attach great importance to extremely easy cleaning and mite prevention, it is best to use nesting boxes made of high-quality plastic or galvanized metal. These materials can easily be washed out hot, so that stubborn parasites cannot hide in cracks.

Roll-Away Nest: Protection against Egg Eaters and Dirt

A particularly clever variant is the roll-away nest box. The bottom of this nest is slightly inclined. As soon as the hen has laid her egg, it gently rolls into a covered collection tray. The hen can no longer reach the egg. This is the best protection if you have hens that peck at their own eggs (egg eaters). In addition, the eggs in the drawer remain absolutely clean and free of droppings.

FAQ - Chicken Nesting Boxes

How many nesting boxes do I need?

As a rule of thumb: you need about one nesting box for every three to five hens. Chickens do not all lay at the same time, but take turns throughout the morning. If you have 10 chickens, a 3-compartment or 4-compartment nesting box will do just fine.

Where is the best place to put the nest?

Choose the darkest and quietest corner in the coop. The nest should not be directly under the roosts (so that no droppings fall on it) and protected from drafts. Many nests can also be mounted elevated on the wall, which saves your back when collecting eggs.

How do I get the chickens used to the nest?

If hens ignore the nest, a simple trick often helps: place a plaster egg or a ceramic egg in the nest for the first few days. This instinctively signals to the hens that this is a safe place where "others" have already laid their eggs.