6 Best Nesting Box Dividers For Multiple Hens That Stop Egg Squabbles
Stop hen squabbles over nesting spots. Our review covers the 6 best dividers to create private, secure spaces, ensuring coop peace and cleaner eggs.
You hear the squawking before you even open the coop door, a sure sign that two hens are arguing over the same nesting box again. This daily drama isn’t just a nuisance; it’s the leading cause of cracked, dirty, and even eaten eggs. Installing simple dividers is the single most effective way to create peace in the nesting area and protect your daily harvest.
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Why Nesting Box Dividers Prevent Broken Eggs
Hens are creatures of habit and instinct. They often designate one or two nesting boxes as the "prime real estate" and will compete fiercely for them, even if identical boxes sit empty right next door. This instinct to lay in a communal clutch leads to multiple hens trying to cram into a space built for one.
This crowding is where the trouble starts. A hen settling in might accidentally step on an existing egg, cracking it. Another might kick an egg out of the nest while arranging her bedding. The resulting squabbles can escalate, causing stress that can impact the entire flock’s laying habits.
Dividers create a clear, physical boundary that gives each hen a sense of security and personal space. It short-circuits the instinct to pile into one spot by defining separate, safe territories. A divided box signals "occupied," encouraging the next hen to choose an empty one, dramatically reducing competition, stress, and the number of broken eggs you find.
BestNestBox Plastic Dividers for Easy Cleaning
When your top priority is sanitation, plastic is hard to beat. Products like the dividers from BestNestBox are made from non-porous high-density polyethylene, which means they won’t absorb moisture, manure, or odors. This makes cleanup incredibly fast and effective.
Unlike wood, plastic offers no place for red mites or other parasites to hide and lay their eggs. You can pull them out, spray them down with a high-pressure hose, sanitize them, and have them back in the coop in minutes. This is a massive time-saver, especially during a deep clean or when dealing with a pest outbreak.
The main tradeoff is insulation. Plastic doesn’t hold warmth like wood, which can be a consideration in very cold climates. However, this is easily managed with deep, clean bedding. For the hobby farmer focused on flock health and minimizing cleaning time, the hygiene benefits of plastic are a powerful advantage.
Miller Manufacturing Galvanized Metal Dividers
For sheer durability, nothing outlasts galvanized metal. Miller Manufacturing and similar brands offer dividers that won’t warp, crack, or get chewed on by hens or rodents. They are built to withstand the daily wear and tear of a busy coop for years, making them a one-time investment.
Like plastic, metal is non-porous and exceptionally easy to clean. Parasites can’t burrow into it, and a quick scrape or wash is all that’s needed to keep them sanitary. Their rigid structure also ensures they stay put, preventing hens from dislodging them and defeating their purpose.
The primary consideration with metal is temperature. It can become cold to the touch in winter and hot in direct summer sun if your coop gets a lot of light. Maintaining a deep layer of straw or shavings is crucial to insulate the hens from the metal surface. For those who want a "buy it once, buy it for life" solution, galvanized metal is the toughest option available.
Ware Manufacturing Wood Dividers for Comfort
Wood is the traditional material for a reason. It’s a natural insulator, staying cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter than plastic or metal. Many believe hens prefer the feel of wood, making for a cozier and more inviting nesting environment.
Dividers from companies like Ware Manufacturing often come pre-sanded and ready to install, providing a natural look that blends well with a traditional wooden coop. The material breathes, which can help regulate humidity within the nesting box itself.
The significant downside, however, is that wood is porous. It can absorb moisture and become a breeding ground for mites and bacteria if not managed properly. Regular cleaning is a must, and treating the wood with a poultry-safe sealant or diatomaceous earth can help mitigate pest issues. Wood offers superior comfort, but it demands a bit more vigilance on the sanitation front.
Simple Plywood DIY Dividers for Custom Coops
Sometimes the best solution is the one you build yourself. For coops with non-standard nesting box dimensions or for the farmer on a tight budget, a sheet of untreated plywood and a saw are all you need. This approach gives you complete control over the size and fit.
The key is to use untreated lumber to avoid exposing your hens to harmful chemicals. A half-inch or three-quarter-inch thick piece of plywood provides plenty of strength. Always take the time to sand all cut edges thoroughly to prevent splinters that could injure your hens.
The DIY route offers maximum flexibility. You can customize the height to prevent hens from seeing their neighbors while still allowing for adequate airflow. While it requires a small investment of time and effort, building your own dividers is the most cost-effective way to get a perfect fit for your specific setup.
Duncan’s Poultry Perch-Proof Plastic Inserts
A common frustration is finding hens roosting—and pooping—on the edges of their nesting box dividers. This fouls the nesting material and can lead to dirty eggs. Duncan’s Poultry and other manufacturers have solved this with cleverly designed perch-proof inserts.
These dividers typically feature a steeply sloped or rounded top edge. When a hen tries to land on it, she simply can’t get a comfortable grip and will slide off. This small design feature trains the flock to keep their feet out of the nesting area, reserving it strictly for laying.
These are often sold as part of a complete nesting box system but can sometimes be adapted for existing boxes. They are usually made of easy-to-clean plastic, combining the benefits of sanitation with a specific problem-solving design. If you constantly battle dirty nests from roosting hens, these are worth a look.
Hen-Gear Roll-Out Dividers to Protect Eggs
For the ultimate in egg protection, roll-out systems are the gold standard. While often integrated into a full nesting box, companies like Hen-Gear offer components that incorporate dividers. The design is brilliant: the floor of the nest is slanted, so after an egg is laid, it gently rolls away under the divider into a protected collection tray.
This system solves multiple problems at once. It prevents other hens from cracking or pecking the egg. It keeps the eggs perfectly clean from manure and mud. It also stops determined egg-eaters in their tracks, as they never get access to the prize.
The clear tradeoff is cost and complexity. These systems are more expensive than simple dividers and require a specific type of nesting box for installation. However, for a flock with a persistent egg-eating problem or for a farmer who prizes perfectly clean eggs, the investment can pay for itself in saved eggs and peace of mind.
Choosing Divider Material: Wood vs. Plastic
The choice between wood, plastic, or metal dividers comes down to balancing your priorities: cleaning time, long-term durability, and initial cost. There is no single "best" material; there’s only the best material for your management style and climate.
Think of it as a spectrum. On one end, you have plastic and metal, which offer top-tier sanitation and durability but may require more bedding for comfort. On the other end is wood, which provides natural comfort and insulation but demands more diligent cleaning to prevent parasite issues.
Here’s a simple framework for your decision:
- If you hate scrubbing and worry about mites: Choose plastic or metal.
- If you have a custom-built coop or are on a budget: Choose DIY plywood.
- If you prioritize a natural, cozy feel and don’t mind extra cleaning: Choose wood.
Ultimately, the goal is a clean, safe, and defined space for each hen. Any of these materials, properly managed, will stop the squabbles and protect your eggs far better than an open-concept nesting box.
Choosing the right nesting box divider isn’t about finding a perfect product, but about understanding the tradeoffs between sanitation, durability, and hen comfort. By creating separate, secure spaces, you’re not just saving eggs—you’re building a calmer, more productive, and healthier flock. A little structure goes a long way.
