6 Best Elevated Nesting Boxes For Small Spaces That Keep Eggs Cleaner
Discover the top 6 elevated nesting boxes for small coops. These designs save valuable floor space and are key to collecting cleaner, fresher eggs.
You know the feeling. You reach into the nesting box, expecting a perfect, warm egg, and instead pull out something caked in mud and manure. Washing eggs is a chore, and it removes the natural protective bloom, shortening their shelf life. The right nesting box isn’t just a convenience; it’s a critical tool for better flock management and higher-quality food.
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Why Elevated Nests Keep Your Eggs Cleaner
Getting your nesting boxes off the coop floor is the single biggest step you can take toward cleaner eggs. Chickens track in everything on their feet—mud, wet bedding, and manure. When the nest is at floor level, it becomes just another part of the coop floor, collecting debris all day long.
Lifting the nests changes the dynamic entirely. Hens have to make a conscious effort to hop up into the box, which naturally cleans their feet a bit. More importantly, it separates the clean laying area from the muck of the general population. This simple change in elevation creates a sanctuary for egg-laying, not a catch-all for coop filth.
An elevated position also discourages a bad habit: sleeping in the nesting box. Chickens prefer to roost on the highest perch available. If the nesting box is low and cozy, some birds will decide it’s a great place to spend the night, which means they will poop in it all night long. By keeping the nests lower than the main roosting bars, you encourage them to lay there and sleep elsewhere.
Duncan’s Best Nest Box for Easy Collection
This box is designed around one core idea: making your life easier. Its main feature is a gentle slope that allows eggs to roll forward into a protected collection tray. This means you don’t have to reach into the nest, disturb a broody hen, or dig through bedding to find your eggs. You just flip open the lid and they’re all there, clean and waiting.
The roll-out design is a game-changer for egg cleanliness. The moment an egg is laid, it rolls away from the hen and any potential mess. This prevents other hens from accidentally stepping on it, cracking it, or soiling it. For anyone tired of finding cracked or dirty eggs, this feature alone is worth the investment.
Made of high-density plastic, the Duncan’s box is also incredibly easy to sanitize. Unlike wood, which can harbor mites and absorb moisture, you can simply spray and wipe this box clean. It’s a practical choice for the busy flock owner who values efficiency and hygiene above all else. The trade-off is that it lacks the sheer durability of a metal alternative.
RentACoop Wall-Mount Box for Tight Spaces
In a small coop, every square inch of floor space matters. The RentACoop wall-mounted box is brilliant because it uses vertical space that would otherwise be wasted. By mounting it directly to the wall, you free up the floor for feeders, waterers, or just more room for your birds to move around.
This design is particularly useful in narrow coops or chicken tractors where a bulky, floor-standing nest box would create a major bottleneck. Installation is straightforward, and it gets the nest up to a comfortable height for both the hens and for you during collection. It’s a simple, effective solution for maximizing a small footprint.
Think of it as adding a functional shelf to your coop. It serves its purpose without getting in the way. While it may not have advanced features like a roll-out tray, its space-saving design is a massive advantage for anyone working with a compact setup.
Brower 406B Roll-Out Nest for Durability
If you believe in buying something once and having it last a lifetime, the Brower 406B is your nesting box. This thing is built like a tank from heavy-gauge galvanized steel. It resists rust, won’t be chewed by rodents, and can withstand the daily abuse of a busy flock far better than any plastic model.
The roll-out design ensures eggs are protected and clean, funneling them into a front collection tray with a hinged lid. The nest bottom is a perforated plastic mat that allows debris to fall through, further enhancing egg cleanliness. It’s a commercial-grade design scaled down for the serious hobby farmer who doesn’t want to replace equipment every few years.
The obvious trade-off is the cost and weight. Steel is more expensive and heavier than plastic, making installation a bit more work. But that initial investment pays off in longevity. This isn’t a disposable piece of equipment; it’s a permanent coop fixture.
HenGear Reversible Nest for Coop Flexibility
The standout feature of the HenGear nest is its reversible design. This means you can mount it to be accessible from either inside or outside the coop. This flexibility is a huge advantage when planning your coop layout or retrofitting an existing structure.
Mounting it for external access is a game-changer. You can collect eggs without ever stepping foot inside the coop, which is fantastic on rainy days or when you’re in a hurry. It also means you won’t disturb a broody hen or get pecked by a protective mother. This keeps your flock calm and your shoes clean.
The roll-out function works in either configuration, ensuring eggs roll to safety as soon as they’re laid. The nest pads are designed for comfort and hygiene, encouraging hens to use the box consistently. For anyone who values clever design and wants options for their coop setup, the HenGear box is an outstanding choice.
Miller Little Giant Single Box: A Simple Choice
Sometimes, you just need a simple, reliable nesting box without all the bells and whistles. The Miller Little Giant Single Box is exactly that. It’s an affordable, durable plastic box that you can mount on the wall wherever you need it. It’s perfect for small flocks of 3-5 hens or for adding an extra laying spot to a larger coop to reduce competition.
Made from high-density polyethylene, it’s tough and incredibly easy to clean. There are no complex parts to disassemble; you can just take it down, hose it out, and have it sanitized in minutes. This is a major advantage over traditional wooden boxes, which can become a haven for mites and bacteria in their cracks and crevices.
This box doesn’t have a roll-out feature, so you’ll still need to provide clean bedding like straw or pine shavings to keep eggs pristine. However, its elevated, wall-mounted design already solves half the battle. For the price and simplicity, it’s an unbeatable value for getting your nests off the floor and improving egg hygiene.
Formex SNAP-TOP Roll-Out for Easy Cleaning
The Formex SNAP-TOP nest box prioritizes one thing above all else: sanitation. While all plastic boxes are easier to clean than wood, this one takes it a step further. The entire top of the unit snaps off, giving you wide-open access to every single corner of the interior.
This feature is more important than it sounds. Mites and other parasites love to hide in the dark, tight crevices of nesting boxes. The ability to completely open the box for a thorough cleaning and dusting with diatomaceous earth is a powerful tool for flock health management. It turns a difficult chore into a quick and simple task.
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Like other premium models, it features a roll-out design that protects eggs by separating them from the hen immediately after laying. The combination of the roll-out tray and the easy-to-clean snap-top design makes this one of the most hygienic options available. It’s an excellent choice for anyone who is particularly focused on preventing pest infestations and maintaining a spotless coop environment.
Choosing the Right Nest Box for Your Flock
There is no single "best" nesting box; there is only the best one for your specific situation. The right choice depends entirely on your coop size, flock size, budget, and personal priorities. Don’t get sold on a feature you don’t actually need.
Start by assessing your constraints and goals. Are you working with a tiny coop where every inch counts? The RentACoop Wall-Mount is a clear winner. Is your top priority buying something that will last for decades? Then the heavy-duty Brower 406B is the answer. For those who want maximum flexibility in their coop layout, the HenGear Reversible nest is unmatched.
Then consider your management style. If you absolutely hate cleaning and want the easiest possible sanitation, the Formex SNAP-TOP is designed for you. If you’re all about efficiency and quick, clean collection, Duncan’s Best Nest Box is a top contender. And if you just need a solid, no-nonsense, and affordable option for a small flock, the Miller Little Giant gets the job done perfectly. Match the box to the problem you are trying to solve.
Ultimately, an elevated nesting box is an investment in cleaner food and a healthier flock. By evaluating your space, budget, and how you manage your birds, you can choose a system that saves you time and eliminates the daily frustration of dirty eggs.
