Choosing the Best Chicken Nesting Boxes
Choosing the best chicken nesting boxes becomes important when pullets approach laying age. About six months after bringing home baby chicks, many hens are ready to lay their first eggs. But how many nests do you need per hen? There is much debate about this topic. If pullets need help identifying the preferred box, place a rubber nest egg for chickens in the clean nest as a visual cue.Number of Nests
Some people say you need 1 nest per hen; however, you’ll commonly find that two or three or more hens end up using the same nest! In our experience, we’ve found that 1 nest for every 4-5 hens is sufficient. You’ll know if you have too few when they start laying on the ground or under bushes outside or there are two hens trying to use the same nest at the same time! So a 4-hole nest box should cover your flock of 16-20 hens.
The President of Welcome to Chickenlandia reviews the red plastic rollaway chicken nest box box in her YouTube video:
Plastic, Wood, Metal or Other
There are many different nest options on the market. The plastic are by far the cheapest, with 1-hole being popular (the plastic injection molding for larger nests is cost prohibitive). Our Rollaway Chicken Nest Boxes, 3-Pack includes three separate red plastic boxes with covered front collection trays, removable trays, and flexible floor or wall placement inside the coop. There are also the 5-gallon bucket nest lids, that converts your everyday bucket into a laying nest. Wooden nest boxes are the next affordable option. These are something that can be built at home if you are into DIY or found at your local farm and feed store.For a lightweight single-box option, the purple ChickBox Lite rollaway chicken nest box mounts against an interior coop wall and uses a removable tray and clear flap for protected egg collection.
For first-time layer keepers who also need feeding and watering equipment, the Backyard Chicken Layer Starter Kit combines a mountable roll-away nest box with a 4 kg feeder, 5 L waterer, feed scoop, and reusable 12-egg carton.
Finally, the galvanized metal nest boxes. This is our nest box of choice because they are weather and rust resistant and last forever! They do not rot or warp like wood can and look nicer than plastic. They can be be easily cleaned by hosing off and the nest bottoms are often removable for nest bedding replacement. We offer the metal rollout nest box option which is very useful for egg collecting, keeping the eggs clean and preventing egg-eating.Rollaway vs. Conventional Chicken Nest Boxes
A conventional nest box keeps the egg in the laying area and can accommodate deeper loose bedding. A rollaway box—also called a roll-out nest box—uses a gently sloped floor to move the egg into a separate collection tray after the hen stands and leaves. This can reduce the egg’s contact with routine nest traffic and debris, but it cannot guarantee a clean, unbroken egg.
| Feature | Conventional box | Rollaway box |
|---|---|---|
| Egg location | Remains in the occupied nest | Moves toward a covered collection area |
| Nesting material | Usually allows deeper loose bedding or a compatible pad | Requires a clear egg path and only compatible material |
| Best fit | Simple setups and hens that prefer a traditional nest surface | Keepers prioritizing front collection and separation from nest traffic |
| Routine checks | Replace soiled material and collect frequently | Check tray alignment, slope, cleanliness, and egg movement |
Choose the material and number of compartments that fit the coop and flock. The red plastic 3-pack provides three boxes that can be positioned individually, the purple ChickBox Lite provides one lightweight box, and the metal rollout models provide wall-mounted 1-, 3-, or 4-hole configurations. Measure the installation area, follow the model-specific directions, and continue collecting eggs regularly.
Installation and Features
We recommend installing about 2 feet from the ground on the wall of the coop, as it provides a great level for collecting, cleaning, and observing. If you use a rollout model, follow its instructions for front egg collection and confirm that the sloped egg path stays clear. The hinged perches are great for folding up the nests at night so that the hens don’t roost inside the nest hole or on the perches themselves.
If you prefer a formed plant-fiber insert, choose between our 13 × 13 half-inch hemp fiber nesting pads in a 5-pack and our 12 × 12 extra-thick hemp nesting pads in a 10-pack. Measure the usable nest-box floor before ordering.
To see another keeper evaluate nesting pads in practice, watch the Welcome to Chickenlandia nesting pads review. For a broader overview of comfort and egg protection, see Nest Pads for Nest Boxes.
You can create a pleasant laying environment for your girls by sprinkling some dried botanical in the nest; we’ve made it easy by combining nest pads and herbs all in one with our nesting pads and aromatic nest herbs. If you prefer nest liners without added herbs, choose our natural aspen chicken nesting pads instead. If you already have nesting material and want to add the botanicals yourself, sprinkle our certified organic chicken nesting herbs over clean, dry bedding during routine nest-box refreshes.
