The best Chicken nesting boxes give hens a comfortable and secure place to lay eggs. A high-quality nesting box encourages your hens to lay eggs consistently and regularly. With the right number of nesting boxes in your chicken coop, you’ll find that hens lay more eggs, and it’s easier to care for your chickens.
Although you can make your own, most hen owners find that buying high-quality chicken laying boxes is the best solution. Commercial nesting boxes for hens are the perfect size for layers. Some can be mounted on chicken coop walls, whereas others are free-standing. Some roll away nesting boxes make gathering eggs very easy.
In depth Look at Best Nesting Boxes for Chickens
It doesn’t matter how many fowl you have; you’ll find a suitable nesting box in this review. We’ve examined the best chicken nesting boxes currently for sale. We look at the pros and cons of each type of hen laying box to help you make an informed decision.
1. Little Giant Single Plastic Chicken Nest Box with Perch
One of the most popular chicken nesting boxes is this high-quality, easy-to-clean nest. The nesting unit is made from polyethylene that won’t corrode and doesn’t get cold like stainless steel nests. As with all of the best nesting boxes, this contains a perch, ventilation holes, and perch-free roof.
The nesting boxes are easy to secure to walls and can be mounted side by side or vertically. Another reason why these chicken nesting boxes are popular is that they’re easy to remove to clean them. Choose one nesting box for every three to five hens in your coop.
Pros:
- Made from durable plastic that is easy to clean
- Stays warmer than metal nest boxes
- Easy to install
- Ventilation holes help keep air circulating
- Large enough for all breeds of birds
- Consistently good reviews from users
Cons:
- Plastic can be slippery for hens at first, although they get used to it
2. Homestead Essentials Roll Out Nesting Box for Chickens
This well-designed nesting box has three compartments for a large flock of egg-laying poultry. The roll-out nest keeps eggs clean, and you collect them from the front of the nest. Eggs are protected in the plastic nesting tray under the perch. Made from galvanized metal, the nesting compartments won’t corrode, and the unit is easy to mount on walls.
The roll out chicken nesting box is popular with hen owners due to its ease of use. All the materials are easy to clean. Also, the nesting compartments are the right size for most breeds of layers.
Pros:
- Durable metal design with plastic perches
- Accessible egg collection from the front of the nesting box
- Hens can get in and out comfortably
- Easy to assemble
- Netted nesting tray allows debris to fall through
Cons:
- Some users say the sharp corners on some of the metal compartments can be sharp
- Quality could be better
3. Harris Farms 2 Hole Nesting Box for Chickens
This hen nesting box is made from galvanized metal and an excellent choice for small flocks of laying poultry. The two-compartment nest features a roosting bar, and the nest box can be installed one to two feet above the ground. Thanks to the sloped roof, there are no problems with hens roosting on the top.
One of the advantages of this metal chicken nesting box is the removable floor. Removing the bottom sheet makes cleaning the nest very easy.
Pros:
- Rolled steel construction helps keep bacteria to a minimum because it’s easy to clean
- Hinged perch to allow closing
- Removable base for easy cleaning
- Suitable for between 15 and 20 layers
Cons:
- Not easy to assemble for novices
- Some user complain about the cheap construction materials
4. Rite Farm Washable Egg Nesting Box for Laying Chickens
If you’re looking for a simple nesting box for your flock of layers, then this two-compartment unit is ideal. The wall-mounted laying nests are made from durable plastic that is easy to wash. The tray-type nesting boxes have a drainage hole in the bottom to make cleaning easier. Because these are open top nesting boxes, it’s best to install them in the darkest location in your chicken coop.
Their low cost is one reason why these nesting boxes are a popular choice for chicken owners. Each nest fits all sizes of chicken breeds.
Pros:
- Low cost and simple design make these an affordable, budget option
- Easy to mount on walls horizontally or vertically
- Suitable for all breeds of chickens, especially larger breeds
Cons:
- Not easy to clean
- No perch
- The open-top design doesn’t suit all types of chickens
5. Rollaway Chicken Nest Box
If you’re looking for a strong community roll-away nest box, then this is a good option. The nesting box has capacity for up to 20 hens. The nest box is reversible to make it suitable for collecting eggs in all types of coops. The nesting unit is made from galvanized steel and has an adjustable perch at the front. Eggs easily roll out into the egg tray.
The solid back of this community nesting box means you can install it free-standing. However, it can be installed on walls below roosting perches. For added security, the perch bar can be used to exclude chickens from roosting at night in the nesting box.
Pros:
- No dividers in this large nesting box to prevent chickens crowding each other out
- Vinyl flaps keep the nesting area dark and private for chickens
- Easy to remove flooring for easy cleaning
- Bacteria-resistant floor design
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other nesting boxes
6. Precision Pet Triple Nesting Box for Laying Hens
If you’re for a wooden chicken nesting box, then this unit by Precision Pet is one of the most popular. Its low price is suitable for most budgets if you need to provide nesting areas in a chicken house. This unit has space for three chicken nests, and it’s easy to mount on walls.
Some chicken owners want to stay away from metal or plastic nesting boxes. So, this open-top nest for chicken coops is an ideal solution. However, wooden hen nests are difficult to clean and keep free from bacteria.
Pros:
- Three nesting units, suitable for up to fifteen poultry birds
- Use in or out of coops
- Open top design that some chicken breeds prefer
- Made from Eco-friendly materials
Cons:
- Wood tends to harbor bacteria and is difficult to clean
- No perch
- Made from thin plywood and may not take the weight of 3 brooding hens
7. Brower 6-Compartment Poultry Nest Box
If you have a large flock of laying hens, then this 6-hole chicken nesting box is ideal. It has two rows of three nesting units with a single bar on the top row and a double bar on the bottom row. The birds can also use these perches for roosting. The metal design is easy to maintain and clean and is guaranteed not to rust. Each nesting compartment has ventilation holes to allow fresh air to circulate.
The roosting bars are also hinged to close at night to prevent roosting in nests. Each nest bottom is removable to allow for easy cleaning. There is no egg roll-out option with this nesting unit.
Pros:
- Sturdy design that allows for up to 30 hens to lay eggs
- Sloped roof prevents perching
- Can double up as a nesting box and a chicken rooster
- Proper ventilation to keep nests dry and birds comfortable
Cons:
- Not an egg roll-out nest
- Metal construction has sharp edges before assembly
8. Harris Farms Plastic Nesting Box for Chickens
Harris is a brand leader when it comes to high-quality chicken nesting boxes. This simple nest box features a covered design made from durable plastic. Nesting boxes made from plastic materials have many benefits. They are easy to clean, lightweight, sturdy, and keep heat in winter. The mounting holes also allow for easy removal to thoroughly clean the nesting box.
The perch flips up to close the nesting boxes in the evening. Also, there are large ventilation holes on the side of the chicken nests to allow plenty of ventilation and air circulation.
Pros:
- Cost-effective, lightweight solution for laying hens
- Hinged perch
- Rounded roof to prevent roosting
- Large enough for most breeds of chickens
Cons:
- Birds sometimes flip the perch shut when trying to get in the nest
What to Consider Before Buying Chicken Nesting Boxes
1. Number of Chickens to each Chicken Nesting Box
Chicken experts from the University of Georgia recommend having one chicken nesting box for every four to five hens. However, many homestead hen owners keep one nest box for every three or four hens. You need as many chicken nests to allow layers to produce eggs without stress.
2. How high off the ground should a Nesting Box
Nesting boxes should be 18 to 24 inches (45 – 60 cm) off the ground. Researchers say that having the nest elevated above the ground protects chickens from predators. A raised chicken nesting box also allows air to circulate and prevents rodents from taking over the hens’ nesting area.
3. Can Chicken Nesting Boxes be too big?
Nesting boxes can be too big if they don’t make the hens feel secure and protected while laying. The best chicken nest boxes are usually at least 12” (30 cm) wide and the same deep. If you have several breeds of chickens, then choose a slightly larger box that is 14” across and deep and 16” high.
4. Should Nesting Boxes be open or have a cover?
Chicken nesting boxes can be open or covered—it all depends on the chickens. Some breeds of hens lay better in covered nests, whereas other breeds will happily lay eggs in open-top nesting boxes.
5. Where should I position my nesting boxes in relation to the chicken roost?
The best position for hen nesting boxes is below the level of roosts. If you install nests at the same height as roosts, they will end up roosting in the nests. In a chicken coop, the best place for nesting boxes is in a dark spot that is well-protect and not too busy.
6. How to encourage chickens to lay eggs in nesting boxes?
To help your chickens use the nesting boxes for laying eggs, install enough nests. Then, put the nests in the darkest, quietest corner of the coop. When your hens start laying, collect eggs regularly to encourage them to continue using the nesting area.
You can also buy ceramic starter eggs and place them on the nest. This gives hens that are about to start laying a big hint as to where they should nest.
7. How to keep the Chicken Nesting Boxes clean
Buy high-quality chicken nesting boxes made from washable materials that are easy to clean. Durable plastic or stainless steel doesn’t absorb bacteria and is easy to clean. Besides, you’ll need to clean nesting boxes every other day to keep eggs clean and the box free from chicken poop. Using bedding in your chicken laying boxes helps keep your eggs clean and prevent them from being damaged.
8. Do roll away Egg Nesting Boxes work?
Roll away egg boxes for laying hens are the ideal choice if you keep hens for their eggs. As the name suggests, roll-away nesting boxes allow the eggs to roll away into a collection container. Using roll away nests helps ensure clean eggs that are not covered in poultry poop.
Best Chicken Nesting Boxes-In Conclusion
Choosing the best chicken laying boxes is challenging. There are many excellent types of nesting boxes currently for sale. Whatever kind you choose, they should be made from easy-to-clean materials. Nesting spaces for poultry should also contain bedding material that will be inviting and comfortable, also soft to prevent egg breakage. Also, you need to select the right number of nesting boxes as one box will accommodate around five birds.
