Chicken nesting boxes are central to owning hens – it’s where the magic of laying eggs happens!
Choosing the RIGHT nesting boxes is pretty important – I’m frequently contacted by owners who think their hens aren’t laying eggs.
But often, the issue is these hens just aren’t fans of their nesting areas – so they’re laying elsewhere.
And we all know that one of the best parts of being a chicken mama is being a chicken grandmama! The excitement can’t be contained when you find the fluffy butts sitting on eggs because they’ve gone broody.
But, as I said above, hens don’t just lay anywhere – just where they feel safe.
In this article, you’ll discover everything you need to know – whether you’ll buy your “egg depositories” or plan to use a chicken nesting boxes plans pdf to build your own.
If you plan to buy nesting boxes, these are the brands we recommend:
It’s most important that the nesting box is easy for your hens to get in and out of – the look or material is less important than your hens feel safe.
What can I use as a chicken nesting box?
Pretty much anything can be a nesting box – a basket, a box, 5 gallon buckets, you name it. The most important thing is that a nesting box is:
Quiet
Clean
Dark
You can find lots of DIY nesting box plans online – just choose a style that suits your flock and your coop.
How many nesting boxes are necessary?
Flocks of different sizes have different needs – you don’t need a million nesting boxes if you only have a few hens! While there really is no hard and fast rule about how many nesting boxes for chickens you should have, a basic rule of thumb is 1 nesting box per 4-5 chickens.
Why so few? Chickens are social animals, and hens like to share their laying space. In fact, if you enter your chicken coop at just the right time, you might find 2 or even 3 hens cluttering up ONE nesting box!
So, if you’re asking yourself, “how many nesting boxes do I need for 20 chickens?,” rest assured that 5 boxes is enough for 20 chickens.
They might only use two of those and making one nesting box for each hen is overkill!
How many nesting boxes do you need for 6 chickens?
Remember that for every 4-5 chickens, 1 box is best. So for 6 chickens, 2 boxes is enough.
What is the best material for a chicken nesting box?
Wood, metal, and plastic are popular choices for nesting boxes. DIY versions can be made from scrap wood left from a previous project, or plywood would be awesome! You can also make economical plastic chicken nesting boxes out of 5 gallon buckets, milk crates, and even cat litter boxes!
Some people like the Roll Out nest boxes you see on Amazon. These are usually made of metal, which is easy to clean and sanitize.
(Just remember that these contraptions take up space, and gravity plays a huge part for this kind of system – for it to work properly, the roll away nest box angle should be considered.)
Whichever material you choose, just remember that it’s important your hens’ living area is frequently cleaned – so choose material that’s easy to sanitize.
What’s the best bedding for chicken nest boxes? What do you put in a nesting box?
Pine Shavings
Straw
Hay
Cedar Shavings
Grass clippings
Recycled or shredded newspaper
Shredded leaves
Nesting pads
For bedding, we use pine shavings. They’re easy to clean, easy to find in farm stores, and economical.
Straw and hay are fine as well – you will likely need to change the bedding more often. Some people claim straw and hay can harbor chicken mites. This might be true (but really, any bedding can if you don’t change it often enough).
Grass clippings and shredded leaves aren’t recommended. They’re not very absorbent and will get dirty a lot faster. Grass in particular creates a gross, moist environment fast. Newspaper isn’t very absorbent either, and the ink will get on your hens and possibly the eggs.
Lastly, some people object to using cedar in their coops, claiming the scent of cedar might harm chickens. While the jury is still out on this, pine shavings make a fine substitute.
However, if you find you really have a lot of problems with mites, cedar shavings might be a safer bet – it’s far more likely your hens will be harmed by mites than by cedar.
Some people add herbs so their hens have a nice-smelling space and to help them relax and prompt laying.
If you want to use a nesting box pad, there’s lots of commercial options. Here’s some brands I recommend:
Remember: This bedding will basically be the mattress for your hens. Before throwing in anything you find, keep in mind that your hens will be sitting on it – and if they’re comfortable, they’re more likely to use the nesting box.
Make sure the bedding is soft enough for the eggs to land on, and that they won’t get cracked if your hens roll them around.
The nesting box material should should also be easy for you to clean and sanitize – and prevent chicken mites.
Here at the farm, we add ¼ cup of our WormBGone nesting herbs 3-4 times a week to each nesting box to keep internal parasites away and MitesBGone to ward off chicken mites. We also make sure that we change the bedding mix once it gets soiled or wet.
The amount of material you use should correspond to the nesting box size as well – you want the nesting box to look full without seeming stuffed (and too stuffy for your hens to easily get in and out).
Do nesting boxes need to be elevated?
They can be sitting on the floor or raised. Keep in mind, however, that your hens are prey animals, and they’re easily startled during egg laying time. Nesting boxes that are elevated will help your chickens feel safer and prompt egg laying better than those on the ground. It also keeps the roosters from bothering them during a private moment. It’s also easier to keep poopy shavings away if you elevate the chicken nesting boxes.
How high should nesting boxes be off the ground?
18 inches to 2 feet is best so that all your hens can reach them. Chickens can’t fly very well – heavy breeds like brahmas or specialized breeds like silkies don’t fly much at all. So, you’ll want the boxes easily accessible, and any higher than 2 feet might be difficult for some breeds to reach.
If you plan to install the boxes higher (or if your coop came with them elevated), it would be great if you also install a perch or ladder to help the flightless members of your flock.
When should you open nesting boxes for chickens?
Once hens reach their laying stage at approximately 17 weeks, you can cut the ribbon and pop the champagne! At this stage they will already be accustomed to sleeping in the roosts they won’t get into the habit of sleeping where they should be laying.
How do you get chickens to lay eggs in a nesting box?
If your hens aren’t naturally using their nesting boxes, you should first try to figure out why. Are they not safe? Is the area too noisy? Are they dirty? Do your hens free range (which means they might choose a different location to lay)? Again, hens lay where they find it safe and comfortable. Make the nesting box bedding fluffy and clean. You can also use nesting herbs to attract your hens, and if you get really stuck, you can put training eggs in the boxes. These are fake eggs you put in nesting boxes to let pullets know that that is where they should lay their eggs. While this seems silly, chickens really do take the hint!
If your hens insist on laying their eggs everywhere, you can block the “wrong” places. This makes them go on a hunt for another safe place.
Just remember that if your nesting boxes aren’t:
Quiet
Clean
Dark
You might have a hard time getting your hens to use it!
How big do nesting boxes need to be?
Your chicken nesting box size is also important when talking about comfort. 14” x 14” x 16” boxes would be cozy enough for Brahmas, Ameraucanas, Araucanas, and other breeds. Consider how large your chicken is – you want the nesting boxes to be big enough for your hens, but not so big that they feel unsafe or exposed (remember, dark nesting boxes are best!).
How do you stop chickens from pooping in their nesting boxes?
It can be hard to stop them pooping in their boxes – chickens (like all birds) don’t have a bladder, so when they gotta go, they just go. Additionally chickens poop and lay eggs from the same area (the vent), so when your hen is laying an egg, some poop might accidentally slip out.
That being said, your chickens are more likely to poop in their boxes when they’re NOT laying an egg – meaning, if they’re using their boxes as a bed.
No matter how many nesting boxes per chicken you have, remember that the boxes aren’t their sleeping quarters. That’s what roosts are for.
Chickens would only poop in the nesting boxes when they treat them as their home (sleeping in them) because they do a lot of pooping at night. So it is essential for them to be trained to sleep in the roosts first before opening the boxes.
If you have chickens using their nesting boxes as a sleeping place, evict them! Shoo them or gently remove your hens when you find them getting too comfortable snoozing in those boxes.
How do you keep a nesting box clean?
You need to clean it regularly! Make it part of your egg gathering routine to do some housekeeping. Remove soiled bedding, feathers, and poop that you find. If it’s really gross, you’ll have to completely remove all the bedding and wipe down the laying area. You can use water, all-natural wipes, or other cleaning solutions to do the job.
Shavings are the easiest to clean while straw is the hardest! It is also the perfect place for pests to hide so it would also help out big time when you think about what to put in chicken nesting boxes.
How do you clean your chicken nesting boxes? Leave a comment below!
Maat van Uitert is a backyard chicken and sustainable living expert. She is also the author of Chickens: Naturally Raising A Sustainable Flock, which was a best seller in it’s Amazon category. Maat has been featured on NBC, CBS, AOL Finance, Community Chickens, the Huffington Post, Chickens magazine, Backyard Poultry, and Countryside Magazine. She lives on her farm in Southeast Missouri with her husband, two children, and about a million chickens and ducks. You can follow Maat on Facebook here and Instagram here.
Maat van Uitert is a backyard chicken and sustainable living expert. She is also the author of Chickens: Naturally Raising A Sustainable Flock, which was a best seller in it’s Amazon category. Maat has been featured on NBC, CBS, AOL Finance, Community Chickens, the Huffington Post, Chickens magazine, Backyard Poultry, and Countryside Magazine. She lives on her farm in Southeast Missouri with her husband, two children, and about a million chickens and ducks. You can follow Maat on Facebook here and Instagram here.
I love chicken coop signs! I think they’re so fun and no coop is complete without one.
Every crazy chicken lady needs the perfect sign for her coop. Luckily for you, chicken coop signs are so easy to make yourself! So today I decided to put together some of my absolute favorite DIY chicken coop signs. These signs are great because most of them just require some wood and paint!
Let’s get started! Here are some of my favorite DIY chicken coop signs!
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The Ladies DIY Coop Sign
I love this sign. Remind your “ladies” of how important they are every time they come into their coop! You could also throw in some rose petals to their nesting boxes to give your “ladies” an extra treat.
I LOVE this sign! I need this for our new duck pen! This sign would be SOOOO easy to make. All you need are some wood letters like these ones here and you are good to go! I can just see my ducks in this cute coop munching on some yummy treats.
Free Range Chicken Jail
Not only is this the cutest coop ever (the inside is amazing), but I love this free range chicken jail sign! It’s so creative and your friends and family are sure to get a good laugh when they see it. You could DIY this sign with only some paint, wood, and a stencil (like this one here)
I love this coop sign! Again all you would need to DIY this coop sign is some paint, wood, and a stencil! Or if you’re short on time and still want a cute coop you can buy it here: The Chick Inn
Last One In Is A Rotten Egg
Don’t you love this one? This one is another simple DIY project or you can buy it here: Last one in is a rotten egg
Farm Fresh Eggs
Not going to lie, I kind of want this sign for my kitchen. But it would look amazing on a chicken coop! This sign is made with an old fence post and only takes 1-2 hours to create!
I got a good laugh out of this one! You could easily DIY this sign with some paint, stencil, and scrap wood. Or you can buy it here: Wicked Chickens Lay Deviled Eggs Sign
Maat van Uitert is a backyard chicken and sustainable living expert. She is also the author of Chickens: Naturally Raising A Sustainable Flock, which was a best seller in it’s Amazon category. Maat has been featured on NBC, CBS, AOL Finance, Community Chickens, the Huffington Post, Chickens magazine, Backyard Poultry, and Countryside Magazine. She lives on her farm in Southeast Missouri with her husband, two children, and about a million chickens and ducks. You can follow Maat on Facebook here and Instagram here.
Anyone who handles pet chickens knows how important chicken wire (also known as poultry wire), mesh, and netting are to keeping your flock well managed and cared for.
While we love our hens and think of them as part of the family, the truth is the rest of the animal kingdom views our fluffy butts as an easy meal or a toy to be played with.
If you’re just starting out with backyard chickens or are building a new coop, this article is your guide to choosing the best poultry wire possible for your flock.
If you’re building a coop, chicken tractor, or run, then this is the best ¼ inch chicken wire we recommend:
What is chicken wire used for?
Chicken wire is a mesh made of of wire strands, and it’s used to keep hens inside their run. Without it, you might find chicken poop on your porch constantly, or a constant influx of predators trying to make a meal out of your pets. Chicken wire is made of thin, flexible, galvanized steel wire with hexagonal gaps. It’s relatively cheap and easy to work with, which makes it so attractive for coops. Sometimes it’s coated in plastic.
How much does a chicken wire fence cost?
The price for different types varies depending on the brand and the desired wire sizes. Cheap chicken wire is relatively easy to find, and you’ll pay roughly $.50 to $3.50 per foot, depending on how small the hexagonal holes are. Big box stores like Home Depot or Tractor Supply have 50 feet of ½ inch chicken wire on sale for less than $30. This is a small price to pay to ensure your fluffy butts are tucked in safely at night!
Basically, when it comes to chicken wire, you’ll pay for how tight the weave is (whether there’s ¼-inch holes or 2 inch holes) and the length. The longer the roll, the more it’ll cost.
You might be looking at all your choices and wondering “How much is chicken wire that’ll do the job right” – there are lots of options after all.
Most flock owners will want to go with chicken wire that has ½ inch holes – this is small enough that it’ll be tough for most predators to get through. It’ll also be stronger, and less likely to be bent out of shape.
Where can I buy chicken wire?
There are many places where you can buy chicken wire for sale, like your local hardware or poultry store, and most especially online. With simple searches like “chicken wire Tractor Supply” or “chicken wire Lowes,” you’ll find an array to choose from for your coop.
And don’t leave out the chicken wire Ace Hardware has that has a multitude of uses for all types of poultry!
Now with chicken wire, Amazon has lots of high-quality options, and these are some of the best we found on that marketplace:
What size is chicken wire?
Chicken wire comes in several sizes. Small chicken wire is ½ inch (that’s the size of the holes) while larger options come in sizes of 1 inch or 2 inch varieties. It’s also available in various gauges – 19 gauge to 22 gauge. The larger the gauge of galvanized wire, the stronger it is. It also comes in various lengths, from 10 feet to hundreds of feet.
How do you set up chicken wire?
Setting up chicken wire is fairly simple and all you need is a little bit of help and these tools to get the job done:
Wire cutters
Stapler
Tape measure
If you search online you’ll find many informative videos showing you how to set-up and install chicken wire. Most videos show you the entire roll of wire being straightened out; if you have a large area that’s a great idea, but what if you don’t need that much?
Simply unroll the wire to just beyond the desired length, hold the loose end down with something heavy so it doesn’t curl back up. At your chosen length, use your wire cutters to cut a piece about 2 inches longer than needed.
Once cut, fold in the cut edge about 1 inch at either end careful to avoid sharp edges. Then apply to the top of your frame and staple all along the top ensuring the wire is straight and firmly in place. Now do the same for the bottom edge pulling the wire taut. Once you have top and bottom done do the same for both sides while remembering to always pull the wire taut.
You will want to use an industrial stapler – not the same type of staples you use for paper. The stronger and thicker the staple, the less likely a predator can rip it down.
At the corners, you’ll want to trim the wire instead of turning the corner – this ensures the chicken wire won’t buckle and lay weirdly.
How do you nail down chicken wire?
If you don’t want to use staples, you can use nails to secure your chicken wire. Simply nail a 1×2 piece of lumber over the top of the chicken wire panel. Then fasten it to the post with galvanized nails or wood screws of the appropriate size.
Note that this is more difficult and less secure than stapling the wire.
You can also simply bend nails over the chicken wire to secure it. Hammer the nails into the wood part way, then hammer them so they’re bent and securely keeping the wire in place. Just know that this looks ugly and is more labor intensive than simply stapling the poultry mesh into place.
How do you keep chicken wire in the ground?
To keep your chicken wire firmly in the ground, simply place a few heavy rocks on the wire at the bottom of the trench and toss soil back into the hole. While not strictly necessary when building a coop, it’s a good idea to bury chicken wire in the ground to keep out predators. You can either bury it perpendicular to the ground or horizontally.
How far apart should fence posts be for chicken wire?
It’s best to space poles for fencing no more than 8 feet apart.
Does galvanized chicken wire rust?
Not typically. Galvanized chicken wire is usually rust and corrode resistant, especially if it’s been coated in plastic. You’ll find that your coop run will stay shiny and fresh looking for years!
What staples for chicken wire are best?
Poultry staples (not the kind made for staple guns) are best to secure your galvanized hardware cloth.
Is chicken wire predator proof? Can predators get through chicken wire?
It depends on the predator and the size of the holes. It also depends how securely the wire was attached to the wood run. If installed correctly, chicken wire should keep out most predators, even very aggressive ones like coyotes. It’s important to remember to always bury chicken wire to keep out predators that dig (like dogs and foxes). However, if it’s not been properly installed and a hungry bear wants to get to your flock, you’re likely out of luck. Predator attacks are one of the top reasons chickens stop laying eggs, or lay abnormal eggs.
Can raccoons get through chicken wire?
If it’s not securely attached, raccoons will try to pry it off or bend it enough so that they can squeeze through. They’re also great at sticking their fingers through chicken wire. In some cases, you might find raccoons can rip it apart. If this happens, then it’s better to go with hardware cloth, which is tougher and comes with ¼ in holes.
Can a fox chew and climb through chicken wire?
A nimble predator like the fox can scramble over a 6ft fence, jump up to 3ft, and dig under it. If foxes are an issue in your area, consider using hardware cloth instead.
Can skunks chew through chicken wire?
Just like foxes and raccoons, skunks can chew through chicken wire. Be sure to bury the fences at least 6 inches in the ground to avoid this. If you find skunks keep getting into your coop, then switch to hardware cloth fencing. Another thing to consider is choosing a chicken feeder and waterer that’s inaccessible to raccoons and skunks.
When was chicken wire invented?
The chicken wire was invented in 1844 British ironmonger Charles Barnard, son of a farmer, Barnard wanted to help his father by finding a way to keep wayward chickens from fleeing the coop. He based his design on cloth weaving machines and soon established his firm Bishop & Barnard.
What is stronger than chicken wire?
The hardware cloth is considerably stronger than chicken wire because it is a wire mesh that consists of either woven or welded wires in a square or rectangular grid. It’s available in galvanized, stainless steel and bare steel. It is manufactured from a stronger gauge metal than chicken wire.
Maat van Uitert is a backyard chicken and sustainable living expert. She is also the author of Chickens: Naturally Raising A Sustainable Flock, which was a best seller in it’s Amazon category. Maat has been featured on NBC, CBS, AOL Finance, Community Chickens, the Huffington Post, Chickens magazine, Backyard Poultry, and Countryside Magazine. She lives on her farm in Southeast Missouri with her husband, two children, and about a million chickens and ducks. You can follow Maat on Facebook here and Instagram here.
Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Can you believe it?
This year has flown past! One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving is making fun, simple crafts to decorate. I’m definitely on a budget when it comes to decorating for the holidays, so I typically make my own DIY décor.
This year I thought it would be fun to involve the kiddos in the decoration making process. So I’ve found tons of fun DIY decorations for fall that you can make with your kids! These crafts/decorations are simple and easy to make which is a must when you’re already busy getting ready for the holidays!
So let’s get started! Here are my favorite DIY Thanksgiving decorations that you can make with your kids!
Glitter Leaves
This might be my favorite DIY Thanksgiving decoration. It’s so easy to make! And it will cost you less than $5! All you have to do is cover some artificial leaves with Elmer’s glue and then cover the leaves with glitter! After it dries you can punch a hole in each leaf so you can hang them around your home!
I love these yarn pumpkins! They’re so cute and would be easy to make with your kids! All you need is orange yarn, Elmer’s glue, a balloon, and a green pipe cleaner!
You can find the full tutorial for this project here: DIY Yarn Pumpkins
Mini Felt Pumpkins
These felt pumpkins are adorable! This is a simple sewing project for teaching your kiddos how to sew. All you need is some orange and green felt, green and black string, and cotton balls.
First, you’ll need to cut out two pumpkins shapes in your orange felt. I recommend printing a template from google, so that it’s exact. You can also cut a small green rectangle from the green felt for the stem.
You can stitch in the eyes and mouth of the pumpkin, or you can draw them on with sharpie to make it simpler.
Next, start sewing the two pieces of felt together! Remember when you reach the top of the pumpkin to put in your green rectangle for the stem and sew it in! Once there is only an inch of unsewn space left, stuff the pumpkin full of cotton balls. Then sew it up the rest of the way! Simple!
This is a great beginners sewing project, and I think these pumpkins would look adorable in a fall wreath, or in a fall garland!
Pine Cone Turkey
This might be the simplest project on here! All you need is some orange felt, a pine cone, googly eyes, glue, and feathers. Cut the felt into a small triangle for the turkey’s beak. Glue the googly eyes and beak to the bottom of the pine cone and glue the feathers to the top! I love how simple, but cute this DIY decoration is.
DIY Paper Pumpkins
I love these simple paper pumpkins! It’s an easy project for your kids and it looks great when it’s done! You can find the tutorial for this project here: DIY Paper Pumpkins
DIY Glitter Pumpkins
I love these glittery pumpkins! This DIY décor item is probably better for older children (it could get messy with little kids!) I love how simple and easy this project is and I think these glitter pumpkins would be the perfect addition to a mantle or dining room table!
I love this cute DIY tree. I think it’s an adorable decoration that’s also great for getting your family thinking about what they’re grateful for! This easy decoration is perfect for kids and they’ll love being able to write down what they’re thankful for on the leaves of this tree!
I love that not only is this a creative and fun centerpiece for Thanksgiving, but it is also perfect for displaying your fruit and cheese appetizers. This project is so simple, and your kids can help you put all of the fruit and cheese on to the skewers!
These little Reese’s Pieces filled turkeys are so cute! They’re so easy to make and they would be fun for a classroom treat or for a fun treat for your Thanksgiving guests.
These cute turkey’s are made from some card stock and Hershey Kisses! These would be a quick and easy craft your kids could make for their classmates or they would be a fun “appetizer/dessert” on Thanksgiving.
These placemats are adorable! I think they would be absolutely perfect for the kids table at Thanksgiving dinner! Your kids will love that they got to put their handprint on the place mats and it’s a fun and easy project for you!
Turkey Reese’s Pieces Bowl
I love this cute turkey candy bowl! It would be so easy to make and your kids will love getting to trace and cut out their hand prints for the turkeys feathers. This is perfect for displaying any yummy treats you have on Thanksgiving!
I love this adorable magnet! Your kids will love getting to put the cute scarecrow face together. This would be a cute addition to any refrigerator or front door!
Maat van Uitert is a backyard chicken and sustainable living expert. She is also the author of Chickens: Naturally Raising A Sustainable Flock, which was a best seller in it’s Amazon category. Maat has been featured on NBC, CBS, AOL Finance, Community Chickens, the Huffington Post, Chickens magazine, Backyard Poultry, and Countryside Magazine. She lives on her farm in Southeast Missouri with her husband, two children, and about a million chickens and ducks. You can follow Maat on Facebook here and Instagram here.
You knew it was coming! Soon, everything will be coming up pumpkin spice, and you won’t be able to get away from it.
Pumpkin spice lip balm combines two of my favorite things – healthy, all natural lip balm made with beeswax and essential oils!
When making lip balm with essential oils, though, do me a favor – don’t buy oils off Amazon or oils that might have synthetic ingredients in it.
You’re putting this stuff on your lips and into your body, and you work hard to live a healthy life – don’t blow it on the easy stuff like essential oils.
I personally use Young Living essential oils – they’re high quality, pure, and smell great. I get the oils I need sent to my home every month – super convenient, and makes living a green, organic life super simple.
I love this lip balm because it contains a hint of fall while also keeping your lips moisturized (we all know how the chill air can be – it loves to dry our skin!)
You’ll love the scent also – it definitely will remind you and help you celebrate all the wonderful smells and freshness of fall!
Funnel like this one to make filling the tubes or pots easier.
I use both pots & tubes when I make lip balm. The pots are a bit easier to fill when the mixture is melted, but the tubes are easier for application. Both work well, so choose the best one for you.
Directions
In a mason jar, combine the oil and beeswax.
Make a double boiler by placing the mason jar in a pot of water. Heat until the beeswax is melted, stirring occasionally so the ingredients mix well.
Once melted, remove from heat & add the essential oils. Stir a couple times to evenly distribute the oils.
Next, use a funnel to pour the mixture into tubes or other lip balm container. Allow to cool undisturbed. When cool, cap the containers & use as needed.
Maat van Uitert is a backyard chicken and sustainable living expert. She is also the author of Chickens: Naturally Raising A Sustainable Flock, which was a best seller in it’s Amazon category. Maat has been featured on NBC, CBS, AOL Finance, Community Chickens, the Huffington Post, Chickens magazine, Backyard Poultry, and Countryside Magazine. She lives on her farm in Southeast Missouri with her husband, two children, and about a million chickens and ducks. You can follow Maat on Facebook here and Instagram here.
