Chicken nesting boxes provide a safe, comfortable place for hens to lay their eggs. Their height above the ground is an important consideration for easy egg collection and chicken comfort In this article, we’ll look at the optimal height to place nesting boxes in the chicken coop.
Why Nest Box Height Matters
The height of the nesting boxes impacts both the chickens and the chicken keeper Here are some key factors to consider
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Ease of egg collection – Boxes that are too low can force you to crouch or stretch to reach eggs. Boxes too high can make it tricky to see into them to find eggs. The ideal height allows easy access.
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Hen comfort – Chickens like nesting boxes they can easily hop in and out of. If too high, hens may hesitate to use them or injure themselves flying up. Too low, and hens don’t get the sense of security they desire.
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Cleaner eggs – Nest boxes closer to the ground tend to stay darker and draft-free. This reduces temperature fluctuations and light exposure which can prompt premature incubation. Cleaner eggs with sound shells result.
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Hen health – Poor box height can stress joints and muscles as chickens jump or stretch to enter boxes. The right height reduces strain.
Recommended Nest Box Heights
Most experts recommend installing nest boxes 16 to 24 inches off the ground. This covers boxes for standard and bantam chicken breeds.
Here’s an overview of recommended heights:
- 16 to 18 inches – best for bantam chickens
- 18 to 24 inches – ideal for full-sized chickens
- Over 24 inches – too high for most hens
You may see a range since the right height depends somewhat on your chickens’ size and breed. It also takes into account bedding depth.
Tips for Getting the Height Right
As you determine the best nest box height:
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Match it to your chickens’ size – Scale the height to fit your hens. Lower boxes serve bantams best.
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Account for bedding – Leave room for 2-5 inches of litter. This gives a soft landing and absorption.
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Make lower boxes removable – Using standalone, movable boxes lets you adjust the height.
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Angle down entry holes – Sloping openings upwards makes high boxes more accessible.
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Provide steps – Little built-in ladders or ramps can help hens access boxes safely.
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Observe your flock – Note any difficulty or reluctance entering boxes and adjust accordingly.
Nesting Box Height by Chicken Breed
To zero in on the ideal height, consider your hens’ breed and size. Here are suggested box heights for common breeds:
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16 to 18 inches: Brahma bantams, Pekin bantams, Polish bantams
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18 to 20 inches: Leghorns, Minorcas, Welsummers, Ameraucanas
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20 to 22 inches: Orpingtons, Plymouth Rocks, Australorps, Wyandottes
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22 to 24 inches: Brahmas, Cochins, Faverolles, Jersey Giants
These heights suit most chickens of that breed. But individual size variations happen. Finely tuning box height to your particular flock takes observation.
Height for Different Nest Box Styles
Nest box design also influences appropriate height. Here are suggested heights for various setups:
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Roll-away nests – 17 to 20 inches (lower since hens must hop upwards into box)
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Chest-style boxes – 16 to 22 inches (lid provides extra security)
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Free-standing boxes – 16 to 24 inches (easy to adjust or move)
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Built-in boxes – 18 to 22 inches (fixed installation, so ensure height works for your chickens)
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Corner boxes – 20 to 24 inches (hens feel secure in corner location)
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Raised nesting platforms – 24+ inches (require built-in stairs/ramps for hen access)
Other Tips for Nest Box Placement
Proper box height is critical – but it’s not the only consideration. A few other tips on placement:
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Set boxes in a sheltered, draft-free area of the coop.
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Allow 2-3 boxes per 6-8 hens. Overcrowding stresses chickens.
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Opt for darkly lit boxes to mimic nesting spots hens seek naturally.
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Ensure the surrounding area is adequately ventilated to keep boxes clean and dry.
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Give hens enough head room to stand comfortably in the box.
Observe your flock to fine tune box height over time. The ideal height makes collection easy for you while keeping your hens comfy and content! Proper placement sets up your chickens for nesting success.
Hens not using the nesting boxes
- Lower the nesting boxes to the ground – sometimes the hens just don’t know that the nests are up there and need time to acclimate
- Add wooden eggs or golf balls to the nest – hens like to lay their eggs where other eggs are. This will encourage them to lay where you want them to.
- Spray for mites with Elector PSP – Sometimes mites can take up residence in the nesting boxes and will feed on the hens when they go in to lay their eggs. I know this product is pricy, but it’s the most effective and safest product on the market. There is no egg-withdrawl period after using it.
- Fold up the curtains – curtains are wonderful for privacy, but the curtains can also block the view of the nest. If the hens don’t know there’s a nest back there, they might never find it. Start by taping or stapling up the curtains until the hens are using the box regularly.
- Assess the location – Is it too busy? Noisy? Light?
While it sounds weird, hens will definitely learn to eat their own eggs once they figure out how tasty they are. All it takes is 1 broken egg in the nest and a curious hen… and it’s all over. Once a hen starts eating eggs, it can be really hard to get her to stop.
The best way to stop hens from eating their own eggs is to use a rollaway nest so that the hen never has the opportunity to eat it in the first place. If you don’t have access to one of these, using wooden eggs in the nest might help. It’s a shock to the hen to peck a wooden egg and that alone may teach her that pecking at eggs isn’t as fun as it once was.
Nesting Box Size for Egg Laying
Chickens range from 2 lb bantams to 14 lb heavy breeds, so they definitely have different requirements. If you have chickens of all sizes, I’d recommend the middle size for standard breeds or provide a few different sizes, if possible!
- 10” wide x 10” deep x 12” high
- 12” wide x 12” deep x 14” tall
- 14” wide x 12” deep x 14” tall
What size should chicken nest boxes be?
FAQ
How far off the ground should a nesting box be for chickens?
The best height for chicken nesting boxes is typically between 18 to 24 inches off the ground. This height allows hens to easily access the boxes while providing a comfortable and safe space for them to lay eggs. It’s also a good idea to ensure that the boxes are placed in a quiet, low-traffic area to encourage laying.
Do chicken nesting boxes need to be elevated?
If you’re limited on space, try stacking them vertically or putting a few on one side of the coop and a few on another. Also, they can be close to or on the ground, if you’re ok getting down to retrieve the eggs. Fill ‘Em Up!
Do chickens like nesting boxes high or low?
The general recommendation regarding the right height for chicken nests is 18 to 20 inches above the floor. But that’s not a hard and fast rule. The proper height depends on breed and age, and the hens’ ability to access the nests.Feb 10, 2025
How high should a chicken coop be off the ground?
A chicken coop should ideally be raised 12 to 20 inches off the ground. This height helps protect chickens from predators and allows for easy cleaning underneath.