6 Best Nesting Box Sizes For Different Breeds Old Farmers Swear By
From compact Bantams to large Orpingtons, the right nesting box size matters. Explore 6 farmer-approved dimensions for a happy and productive flock.
You walk out to the coop, basket in hand, and find eggs in the corner, under the roosts, and one even caked in mud by the waterer. The one place you don’t find them is in the brand-new nesting boxes you so carefully installed. If this sounds familiar, the problem might not be your hens, but the real estate you’re offering them.
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Why Nesting Box Size Matters for Egg Laying
A nesting box isn’t just a box; it’s a signal to your hen that this is a safe, private place to lay her egg. If the box is too big, she won’t feel secure. It’s more likely to become a community lounge, a place to sleep, or worse, a shared bathroom, leading to filthy eggs.
On the other hand, a box that’s too small is simply uncomfortable. A hen that feels cramped or can’t turn around easily will reject the box and seek out a more suitable, often inconvenient, spot. The goal is to find that "just right" size that feels snug and secure without being restrictive.
This isn’t just about hen comfort—it’s about your workload. The right-sized box encourages clean laying habits, which means fewer dirty eggs to wash and fewer cracked eggs from being kicked around in an oversized space. Getting the size right from the start saves you time and frustration.
Miller Little Giant Box for Bantam Breeds
Standard nesting boxes are built for standard-sized chickens, which makes them feel like a cavernous mansion to a tiny bantam. Breeds like Silkies, Sebrights, or d’Uccles need a much smaller footprint to feel secure. A box that’s roughly 10 inches square is a great starting point for these little birds.
The Miller Little Giant or similar plastic boxes are perfect for this. They are durable, easy to clean, and their smaller dimensions provide the snug fit bantams prefer. The plastic construction also means less worry about mites hiding in wood crevices, which is a big plus for flock health.
Don’t overthink it. If you have a mixed flock with a few bantams, dedicating one or two smaller boxes just for them in a quiet corner can make all the difference. They’ll appreciate having a space tailored to their size, and you’ll appreciate not having to go on an Easter egg hunt every morning.
Brower 10-Hole Nest for Production Layers
For the workhorses of the backyard flock—Rhode Island Reds, Leghorns, Australorps, and other production layers—the classic 12-inch by 12-inch box is the undisputed standard. It’s the dimension that has worked for generations of farmers for a simple reason: it fits the average hen perfectly.
The Brower 10-Hole nest is a classic metal design that embodies this principle. It’s built for efficiency and durability. The metal is easy to sanitize between flocks, and the communal setup of multiple holes in one unit saves space and encourages use. Hens often like to lay where other hens have laid, and these banks of nests facilitate that behavior.
You don’t need a 10-hole unit for a small flock, but the principle holds. Whether you buy a multi-hole unit or build your own, aim for that 12"x12"x12" cube for your standard layers. Provide one box for every four to five hens to prevent squabbles and waiting lines during peak laying hours.
Harris Farms Roll-Out Box for Clean Eggs
If you’re constantly battling dirty or cracked eggs, a roll-out nesting box is a game-changer. These boxes are designed with a slightly sloped floor. After the hen lays her egg, it gently rolls forward into a protected collection tray, away from dirty feet and curious beaks.
This design is a lifesaver for a few key reasons. It dramatically reduces the number of eggs you have to scrub. It also foils any hens that have developed an egg-eating habit, as the egg is out of sight and out of reach almost immediately.
The tradeoff is cost and a slight learning curve for your flock. Roll-out boxes are more expensive than simple boxes, and some hens are initially suspicious of the sloped floor. However, once they get used to it, the time saved and the perfectly clean eggs you collect every day make it a worthwhile investment for many hobby farmers.
Best Nest Box for External Coop Mounting
Coop floor space is prime real estate, especially in smaller setups. An externally mounted nesting box is a brilliant solution to maximize interior room for roosting, feeding, and walking around. These boxes hang on the outside of the coop with an opening for the hens to enter from the inside.
The biggest advantage is convenience. Most external boxes are designed with an exterior-access lid, meaning you can collect eggs without ever stepping foot inside the coop. This is incredibly handy on rainy mornings or when you’re in a hurry.
When choosing or building an external box, pay close attention to two things: weatherproofing and security. The lid must be completely waterproof to keep bedding dry, and all access points must be secured against raccoons and other predators. A well-built external box can make your whole coop system more efficient.
Duncan’s Poultry XL Box for Orpingtons
Trying to fit a Buff Orpington, Brahma, or Jersey Giant into a standard 12-inch box is like trying to park a truck in a compact car spot. It just doesn’t work. These gentle giants need significantly more room to get in, get comfortable, and get out without breaking the egg they just laid.
For these larger breeds, you need an extra-large box. Look for dimensions that are at least 14 inches wide and 14 inches deep, with a bit more headroom as well. Some commercial options, like those from Duncan’s Poultry, are built specifically for these hefty hens.
If you’re building your own, a 16-inch cube is a generous and safe bet for even the biggest birds in your flock. Giving your large-fowl breeds the space they need isn’t spoiling them; it’s a practical step to ensure they use the boxes and you get intact, usable eggs.
DIY 5-Gallon Bucket Nests for Frugality
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to create effective nesting boxes. The humble 5-gallon bucket is one of the most frugal and functional DIY options out there. It’s a perfect solution for standard-sized hens and is incredibly easy to set up.
Simply lay the bucket on its side and secure it to a low shelf or the coop wall so it can’t roll. You can add a wooden lip to the front to help keep bedding inside, but it’s not strictly necessary. The enclosed, dark space is very appealing to a hen looking for a private place to lay.
The main benefits are cost and cleanliness. Used food-grade buckets are often free or very cheap, and the non-porous plastic is a breeze to scrub and sanitize. While they may not have the rustic charm of wooden boxes, their practicality is hard to beat for the farmer on a budget.
Optimal Placement and Bedding for Your Boxes
Even the perfect-sized nesting box will go unused if it’s in the wrong spot. Hens instinctively seek out quiet, dark, and safe locations to lay. Place your nesting boxes in the darkest, lowest-traffic corner of the coop.
Boxes should ideally be lower than your lowest roosting bar. If the nesting boxes are the highest point in the coop, your hens will be tempted to sleep in them, which is a recipe for a poopy mess. Placing them off the floor by about a foot or two also helps keep them clean and deters pests.
Finally, fill each box with 3-4 inches of clean, soft bedding.
- Pine Shavings: Absorbent, low-dust, and readily available. A top choice for most.
- Straw: The classic choice, but it can mat down and hold moisture if not changed regularly.
- Nesting Pads: Reusable or disposable pads that can reduce mess, but they add an ongoing cost.
Check the bedding weekly and replace it whenever it becomes soiled. A clean, comfy, well-placed box is an invitation your hens will rarely refuse.
Ultimately, the best nesting box is the one your hens actually use. Start with these proven sizes as your guide, but don’t be afraid to observe your flock and make adjustments. A little attention to their preferences will pay you back with a basket full of clean, easy-to-find eggs every single day.
