Nesting Boxes for Chickens

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A cartoon farm scene showing hens exploring different nesting boxes, including a rollaway box, wall mounted box, and wooden A-frame box in a full outdoor setting.

Size, material and design all affect how well your hens use their nest boxes

How do I choose the right nesting box for my chickens?

Start with the basics: aim for one nesting area for every three to four hens. They will always share favourites, but enough space prevents squabbling.

Plastic nesting boxes are usually the best option because they are:

  • Lightweight and easy to move
  • Quick to clean
  • Free of cracks that can shelter red mite

Short on floor space? Wall mounted nesting boxes save room and keep eggs at a comfortable height. Mount them at 30 to 60 centimetres for most flocks.

Dealing with egg eaters? Choose rollaway nesting boxes. The egg drops into a protected tray before hens can reach it.

Think about your routine as well. Make sure you can reach in easily, remove parts for cleaning and refresh bedding without frustration.

A cartoon scene of hens choosing between floor spots and a quiet elevated nesting box in a coop, illustrating common reasons hens avoid nest boxes.

Floor laying is common and usually simple to fix

Why are my hens not using their nesting boxes?

Hens look for three things when they lay: darkness, quiet and height.
According to the EU welfare requirements for laying hens all laying hens must have access to a nest, perching space and litter for scratching and pecking.

If yours prefer the floor, check for these issues:

Location problems:

  • Too close to feeders or busy areas
  • Not elevated enough
  • Placed beside the pop hole

Move boxes to the quietest corner of the coop. This fixes floor laying for most birds.

Still not working? Add privacy curtains or choose a darker interior. Hens want to feel hidden while laying.

If the boxes are new, give the flock three to five days. Place a fake egg inside to guide them. Once one hen uses it, the rest usually follow.

Make sure bedding is fresh and deep. Hens avoid hard, damp or stale areas.

A cartoon illustration of a plastic nesting box being cleaned with fresh bedding and a small magnified view of red mites to show hygiene and maintenance.

The right materials and a simple routine make hygiene easy

How do I keep nesting boxes clean and free from red mite?

Red mite thrive in wooden nesting boxes because joints and cracks give them places to hide.

Plastic nesting boxes are easier to maintain. Smooth surfaces and no seams mean fewer hiding spots and quicker cleaning.

Your weekly routine:

  • Remove dirty bedding
  • Wipe surfaces with warm water
  • Check for dampness
  • Add fresh bedding

Your monthly deep clean:

Use a poultry safe disinfectant, remove trays, scrub corners and let everything dry fully before refilling.

Good ventilation matters. Moisture encourages mites and can irritate hens’ breathing. Choose boxes with built in vents.

In summer, check boxes more often. A light use of diatomaceous earth in corners can help prevent infestations.

A cartoon rollaway nesting box with an egg safely rolling into a covered tray while a hen looks on, showing how rollaway designs prevent egg eating and breakage.

Removing access is the quickest way to stop the behaviour

How do I stop my chickens from eating or breaking their eggs?

Egg eating often starts by accident when a hen breaks an egg and discovers the taste. The habit spreads fast.

Rollaway nesting boxes stop the behaviour immediately.

Here is what happens inside a rollaway design:

A fresh egg is laid. It rolls onto a gentle slope. It drops into a covered collection tray. The hen cannot reach it. The behaviour stops.

The clear flap lets you check for eggs without disturbing the hen.

You also get fewer broken eggs because there is no trampling or overcrowding.

Use two to three centimetres of soft bedding such as wood shavings or chopped straw. Enough to cushion the egg but not enough to block the slope.

If you already have egg eaters, rollaway boxes usually break the habit within a few days.

Tried and Tested by Backyard Flocks

Stopped egg eating overnight

"Eggs roll away before hens can peck them. Problem solved!"

No more red mite

"Smooth plastic wipes clean in minutes. No hiding places for parasites."

Hens loved it immediately

"They were queuing up same morning. Privacy curtain works a treat."

Took a few days but worth it

"Older hens needed patience. Now they use it daily. Rollaway works perfectly."

Your Nesting Box Questions Answered
What is the best type of nesting box for chickens?

Plastic nesting boxes are a good choice because they are easy to clean, lightweight and resist moisture inside the coop.
How many nesting boxes do I need for my hens?

A common setup is one nesting area for every three to four hens to help reduce competition and stress.
Where should nesting boxes be placed in a chicken coop?

Place them in a quiet, shaded corner of the coop, away from feeders and high-traffic areas so hens feel secure while laying.
How high should nesting boxes be off the ground?

Most keepers mount nesting boxes 30–60 cm from the ground to keep bedding dry and make access easy for hens.
What bedding should I use in a nesting box?

Soft materials such as straw, shavings or chopped hemp help cushion eggs and give hens a comfortable place to settle.
Do chickens need rollaway nesting boxes?

Rollaway boxes help keep eggs clean by letting them gently move into a collection tray, which can reduce breakage.
How often should nesting boxes be cleaned?

A weekly clean works for most flocks, with spot-cleaning as needed if bedding becomes damp or dirty.
Why are my hens not using their nesting boxes?

Common reasons include not enough nesting spaces, boxes placed too high or too bright, or bedding that needs topping up.
Do nesting boxes need curtains?

Curtains are optional. Some keepers use them to create a darker, calmer space that encourages laying.
Should nesting boxes be inside or outside the coop?

Most boxes are installed inside the coop for protection. Wall-mounted designs keep space organised and easy to manage.
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