Nesting Box Setup: How Many, What Size, and What to Put in Them
Nesting boxes are where your hens lay their eggs — and getting the setup right means fewer eggs on the floor, fewer broken eggs, and happier hens. Here's everything you need to know.
How Many Nesting Boxes Do You Need?
The standard recommendation is one nesting box per 3–4 hens. In practice, hens tend to prefer the same 1–2 boxes regardless of how many are available — you'll often see a line forming for the favorite spot while others sit empty.
- 4–6 hens — 2 nesting boxes
- 8–12 hens — 3–4 nesting boxes
- 15–20 hens — 5–6 nesting boxes
More boxes than needed is fine. Fewer causes competition, stress, and eggs laid on the floor.
What Size Should Nesting Boxes Be?
For standard laying breeds like Golden Comets, the ideal nesting box size is 12" wide x 12" deep x 12" tall. This gives hens enough room to turn around and settle comfortably without so much space that two hens try to share at once.
Larger breeds (Jersey Giants, Brahmas) may need 14–16" boxes. Bantam breeds can use smaller 10" boxes.
Where Should Nesting Boxes Be Placed?
- Lower than the roost bars — Hens sleep on the highest available surface. If nesting boxes are higher than roosts, hens will sleep in them, soiling the bedding and making a mess of your eggs.
- Off the floor — Mount boxes 18–24 inches off the ground. This keeps them cleaner and reduces the chance of floor-laid eggs.
- In a darker, quieter area of the coop — Hens prefer to lay in private, low-light spots. Position boxes away from windows and high-traffic areas.
- Accessible from outside if possible — An exterior egg door makes collection easy without disturbing the flock.
What to Put in Nesting Boxes
Bedding keeps eggs clean, cushions them from breakage, and gives hens a comfortable surface to settle on. Good options:
- Pine shavings — The most popular choice. Absorbent, easy to replace, widely available. Use medium or large flake — fine shavings compact too quickly.
- Straw — Traditional and effective. Hens like to arrange it. Can harbor mites if not changed regularly.
- Nesting box pads — Rubber or plastic inserts that are easy to clean and reuse. Less natural feel but very low maintenance.
- Dried herbs — Lavender, mint, and rosemary added to bedding have mild pest-deterrent properties and smell great. A nice touch if you grow herbs.
Keep bedding 2–3 inches deep and replace when soiled. Dirty nesting boxes lead to dirty eggs and increased breakage.
Getting Hens to Use the Nesting Boxes
New pullets sometimes need a little guidance. A few tricks:
- Place a fake egg or golf ball in the box — hens see it and instinctively lay in the same spot. This works surprisingly well.
- Block off the floor corners — Hens that lay on the floor often do so in dark corners. Blocking these areas redirects them to the boxes.
- Keep boxes clean and inviting — Hens won't use a dirty box. Fresh bedding encourages use.
- Confine new birds to the coop for the first few days so they learn where the boxes are before being let into the run.
Curtains on Nesting Boxes
Adding simple fabric curtains to the front of nesting boxes increases privacy and encourages use — especially in coops with a lot of light. Cut strips of burlap or old fabric and hang them from the top of the box opening. Hens push through easily and seem to prefer the added seclusion.