Nest box size?

[daveyp]

Hi,

I think that I need to build a new nest box if we get 2 new girls?

We have 3 chooks currently and think we have the run room for 2 more new girls (19M SQ total size) but if we get them, I think we need an extra nest box. They currently have an "A" frame house with a single nest box attached.

I don't think there is room inside the house to add an additional box - so it will need to be freestanding in the run (?).

Can anyone give me approx measurements for a nest box and suggest a material? I was thinking of marine ply (treated), with a felt roof, raised off the ground slightly, pop hole entrance sheltered. Chooks are / will be standard hybrid layers.

Also, if it is freestanding do you think the girls are likely to use it? Is it possible that they may also try and sleep in it rather than the main house?

Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks,

daveyp

 

[EddieS]

You can try I had 26 in a coop, it had a 6ft length nest box area split into 4 boxes. At the time they were averaging 22 eggs per day They would use two. Not the same two every day but only two, they didn't lay away either. So as everything chicken, its a suck it and see.
If you do make an exterior one, I would use 12mm exterior ply, screwed and glued with the legs on the outside.
That way no cracks for mite. A pent hinged roof, no need for felt, Use Sadolin inside and out.
If you get one sheet of ply standard 2400mm x 1200mm or in old money 8' x4' design it to get all your elements from one sheet, sooner than a size to fit chickens. If they don't lay in it, you have a spare small coop.