Chicken Nesting Box Size
A chicken nesting box should be about 12 × 12 in (30 × 30 cm) and 12 in deep for standard hens, hung 18–24 in (45–60 cm) off the floor and below the roost bars, with one box for every 4–5 hens. Bantams take a 10 in box and large breeds a 14 in one. A lip across the front keeps the bedding and the eggs in.
Chicken nesting box dimensions
| Hens | Examples | Width × height | Depth | Front lip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bantams | Silkie, Pekin, Serama | 10 × 10 in (25 cm) | 10–12 in | 3 in (75 mm) |
| Standard | Leghorn, Rhode Island Red, Orpington | 12 × 12 in (30 cm) | 12–14 in | 4 in (100 mm) |
| Large breeds | Brahma, Cochin, Jersey Giant | 14 × 14 in (35 cm) | 14–16 in | 4 in (100 mm) |
A hen wants a snug, dark box she can turn around in, not a big one. If your flock mixes sizes, build for the largest hens.
How many nesting boxes for chickens
| Hens | Boxes |
|---|---|
| 1–5 | 1–2 |
| 6–10 | 2–3 |
| 11–15 | 3–4 |
| 16–20 | 4–5 |
Boxes in a row, side by side, take the least room. A second row on top works if each row has its own landing space in front.
How high to hang the boxes
- 18–24 in (45–60 cm) off the floor: high enough to stay clean and out of the scratching, low enough for heavy hens to hop up.
- Lower than the roost bars: chickens sleep on the highest perch. With the boxes higher than the roost, they sleep in the boxes and soil them.
- A slope on top: a roof tilted at 30–45° stops hens from roosting on it.
- Dark and quiet: a back corner of the coop, out of drafts and away from the door.
What to put in nesting boxes for chickens
- Bedding: use 2–3 in (5–8 cm) of straw, pine shavings or hemp. Avoid cedar shavings, whose strong oils can irritate the birds.
- Liners or pads make cleaning faster; shake them out every week.
- A dummy egg or a golf ball shows young hens where to lay.
- Keep it clean: change the bedding whenever it is soiled, and paint the plywood so the boxes wipe clean.
Building nesting boxes
Our nesting box plan builds a row of boxes as one plywood unit: two ends, a floor and a top for each row, dividers, a front lip and an overhanging roof. Type the number of boxes, the rows and the box size from the chart, and the cut list follows.
Frequently asked questions
How big should a chicken nesting box be?
About 12 × 12 in (30 × 30 cm) and 12 in deep for standard hens; 10 in for bantams and 14 in for large breeds such as Brahmas, Cochins and Jersey Giants.
How many nesting boxes do I need?
One box for every 4–5 hens. Hens take turns, and they often all choose the same box, so extra boxes rarely get used.
How high should a chicken nesting box be?
18–24 in (45–60 cm) off the floor, and lower than the roost bars, so the hens sleep on the roost and not in the boxes.
Can a nesting box be too big?
Yes. Two hens squeeze into a big box at once, eggs get trampled and broken, and a large box feels less safe. Stick to the sizes in the chart.
What do you put in a chicken nesting box?
5–8 cm (2–3 in) of clean straw, pine shavings or hemp bedding, topped up as it flattens and changed when it gets dirty.