Last Updated on June 14, 2023 by Georgie Smith
Since humanity learned about agriculture during the agricultural revolution period, agricultural products have become a source of food and livelihood for the whole world. The world has become dependent on food and products from different animals and plants.
Animal farming, in particular, has grown into one of the largest markets in the world. Most of the world population prefers to consume meat over vegetables and plant products. That is why many of the food items especially in the developed world are from meat and animal products.
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Refined foods have become the order of the day filling up stores and shops. Many people prefer buying pre-cooked food to fresh cooking. That may be because of busy schedules with both parents working to meet the cost of living in modern times.
Poultry farming is one of the agricultural activities that have taken root in many parts of the world, and the market just keeps increasing. Dependence of poultry products has become even more significant with the increasing world population.
Technology has made poultry farming so easy anyone can take part in the practice without any trouble. The internet provides information on just about anything in the world, as long as it exists or has existed before.
You can learn to keep and raise chickens for economic purposes even without experience. This article puts focus on chicken nesting boxes.
The Criteria for a Good Nesting Box
Having the right nesting box is what will keep your products safe until you are ready to come and collect them. Eggs are very delicate, and one must make sure that whatever box they are using has followed the proper criteria. Here is an easy approach to follow when preparing a nesting box.
Cleanliness
When you are making your nesting box, check on the ease with which you will be able to clean your nest. Will you be able to clean it easily or will it be a problem to keep dirt out of it? That means that you have to use a material that does not cling to dirt.
Dirt can make you lose your chickens because of parasites and diseases. What is more, chickens do not like to use dirty boxes. Clean and soft nesting boxes encourage your chicken to use it.
The Material Used
You need to check out the type of material used to make the nesting box. The material should be non-porous for example, plastic or metal. Wooden boxes are a good choice as well. They are easy to make, and you can find wood anywhere.
However, one issue with this material is maintenance. Wooden boxes can be a bit hard to clean, and they are very heavy. You may need a material that you can easily transfer from place to place.
The Space in Your Nest
You need to have a nesting box that is of good size with plenty of room. Do not use one that is so small that your chicken may not fit. That may cause breakage and make the area dirty. A nesting that is too big is not a good idea either. Too much space may cause damage if the bird roams freely. You need to find a nesting box with the right size.
The Positioning
Where you place your box is one of the most important things to consider when making a nesting box. Many things can go wrong in a box that remains nasty and unkempt. Factors like predators, rain and water, and also dirt from the ground are issues you need to take into consideration.
You need to know how high or low a nesting box should to be from the ground. Boxes mounted off the ground about 2 ft may be cleaner and safer.
Comfort Materials
Which materials are you using as bedding to make the box a comfortable zone? The bedding must be clean and comfortable. Apart from this, they must have some protection rim or circle so that the eggs do not fall off easily and break. Chicken may start to eat broken eggs to protect them, and this can cause serious trouble for you as a farmer.
Nesting Boxes Against the Number of Chicken
You have to know the number of boxes you will need for all your chickens. Giving your chickens too many or too few boxes will cost you in the long run. It is advisable that you have five chickens share a box. Any number above that will be catastrophic for the chickens that are freely moving around and cannot use the boxes for sleeping.
The Top of Your Box
One of the problems experienced with chicken farming is roosting on top of the boxes. A good nesting box should have a good top that will discourage the chicken from roosting on it. It is advisable that your top should not be flat but slanting.
If you have an inside roosting box, you probably have experienced chickens sleeping in the resting boxes. Make your box the shape of a cave, and your chickens will obey well.
Following the guideline above will enable you to have an enjoyable production and make your work job detail simple.
Types of Laying Boxes
There are very many types of chicken boxes in the world today. They are all dependant on the type of material used to make them. The most common type is the homemade chicken box. You may decide to make one on your own from wood or any other material available in your vicinity.
If this is not an option, there are plenty of premade boxes that you can buy in a store or a supermarket. For creating your boxes from home, the following is simple to use and chickens do fine with the structure.
Homemade boxes consist of:
- Wood boxes: You can turn crates into boxes,
- Plastic bins: Make great nesting boxes
- Buckets: these do well
- Milk crates: can also work just fine as nesting boxes.
Buying pre-made boxes is the best idea. However, if this is not feasible, using your material to build one will also work just as well.
Top 10 Chicken Nesting Boxes on the Market:
If you are considering buying chicken nesting boxes, then you need to make sure that you are getting them from an established dealer that recognizes your needs. Here is a list of the top nesting boxes that are available on the market today.
| Picture | Product Name | Features |
|---|---|---|
 | Miller Manufacturing 163620 Single Chicken Nesting Box for Birds | – Polyethylene material – 26.5 x 15.9 x 19.8 inches – Easy to clean |
 | Wood Nest Box for Chickens | – Natural Wood – 16 x 9 x 9.5 inches – Great construction |
 | Harris Farms 2 Hole Nesting Box | – 2 Hole – Galvanized steel – 6 x 6 x 1.9 inches |
 | WARE Chick-N-Nesting Box | – Durable Plywood – Perfectly Designed – 12.8 x 11.2 x 12.5 inches |
 | 2 PACK WASHABLE POLY EGG NESTING BOX | – 4 Pack – 12 x 12 x 10 inches – 1 Year Warranty |
 | Ware Manufacturing Premium Plus Universal Chicken Nesting Box | – Perfect Choice – 15.8 x 23.5 x 15.5 inches – Very durable |
 | 6 PACK RITE FARM PRODUCTS WASHABLE POLY EGG NESTING BOX | – 6 Pack – 12 x 12 x 10 inches – Washable |
 | Precision Pet 7029288 Triple Nesting Box | – 37.6 x 12.8 x 11.2 inches – Plywood |
 | Roll Out Nesting Box With Curtains | – Removable – 16.5 x 12 x 19 inches |
 | Brower 406B 4 Hole Poultry Nest | – 6-Hole – Galvanized steel – Easy to use |
Miller manufacturing 163620 chicken nesting box for birds
This box is ranking at the top of the list with features that are quite fascinating and makes the birds comfortable. With this box, you are sure that your eggs are kept safe. This box is made using the polyethylene material of the highest density and quality.
It is durable since it is built to resist impact. The box is a long lasting build with anti-rot, anti-corrosion and anti-rust material. The roosting problem is solved using a sloping roof. The box can be mounted safely on any wall.
Among the best boxes for chicken roosting, this could be considered a classic. This box can also be cleaned easily and has enough space to hold the chicken and any number of eggs. The box is available online which makes it easy to acquire on Amazon.
Wood Nest Boxes for chickens and rabbits
If you are looking an excellent wooden chicken nest box built with durability, then this is the box you need to consider. It is not only stylish and comfortable for your chickens, but it provides other amazing features that will make it a leader on the market.
The box derived from natural wood that is durable and long-lasting. It offers excellent space and place for the bird or your pet to rest with comfort. The wood is an added advantage as a safe chewable material for the animal. That is one of a few boxes that come fully assembled and ready to use.
There is no need to worry about the assembling of the nest. It soon will be home to some happy hens. The box is a product from the USA, which means you can count on its durability and its purpose.
One of the best features to look for in a roosting box is to check that it has the right space. This box is spacious, measuring 9 by 16.5 by 9.75 in size. The box is available at affordable prices online at Amazon.
Buy from Amazon
Harris farm two hole-nesting box
There is a significant difference between a good resting box and a great nesting box. Here is one of the boxes that offer excellent features. Just like the name suggests, this is a box that comes with a double space.
There are two rooms to hold more than one bird with plenty of comforts. The box also has front and back panels which makes it unique. Both rooms have plenty of space to make your chickens happy.
The issue of rusting has been a significant problem experienced by many users of the nesting box. This particular box derived from galvanized materials makes the box resistant to rust, and they are really strong and durable.
The box has a perch with hinges allowing it to be easily closed and opened. Cleaning is another issue for nesting boxes, yet this one is easy to clean because the material does not hold on dirt.
Buy from Amazon
Ware chick-n-nesting box
When it comes to classic nesting box, the Ware offeres all you could want for your chickens and more. With this box, you can sit back and relax knowing you have the best service for your birds. The design of this box makes it outstanding and recommendable.
The Ware, made from plywood offers a significant focus on durability. That is a joy ride for hens while providing much comfort that will keep your chickens at ease. If you have a Ware Chick-n-Burn and or a Chick-n- Hutch from Ware Manufacturing, then this will be an ideal choice for you because it is designed to fit perfectly.
There is another point of interest in that the box comes fully assembled and is ready to go to work. For those who have chicken hutches and coups, there should be no trouble using this hardware which fits with perfection in any of them.
Country of origin also raises interest for many products. This one comes from the USA and can be made available through online media.
Buy from Amazon
Two-pack rite farm products washable poly egg nesting box chicken laying coop nest
As the name suggests, there are four boxes that give your chickens plenty of room and comfort. When it comes to making your work easier, these four-pack nesting boxes have got you covered. The fact that they are washable puts them in higher demand than any other product of this kind.
Made from heavy-duty material makes they are of the highest quality. The four-pack open design makes it easy to mount to a wall. Moreover, so if you need a nest that you can attach easily without a need for assembly, then this product has got you covered.
The design also matters in any hardware product. This pack has a cute curve on the back that looks like an egg. These four nests can be quite attractive to the eye. Another feature that puts them on the map is that they come in large sizes which makes them suitable for any breed of hen despite their size.
The price of these nests will even surprise you. Of all the nests on the Amazon platform, they are of the lowest price.
Buy from Amazon
Precision manufacturing premium plus universal chicken nesting box
This box is of the highest quality and provides the user with the satisfaction of quantity and quality combined with style. They are the most secure of all the boxes with the lockability feature. Premium universal nest design is the top-of-the-line, Top Grade Lumber.
That should tell you that its quality is without a doubt the best. When it comes to security, this nest has a top that closes to ensure there is adequate safety for your birds and eggs from predators.
How many nests will contain a waterproof feature? This one is waterproof which means even when it rains; your chicken would stay dry at all times. The bedding inside is protected from getting wet too.
That could be yet one of the best chicken nests on the market. This nest is the perfect choice a farmer will ever have for nesting chicken. It takes the lead on the market as the best of all chicken nests.
As if that is not enough, this is one of the few nests that can comfortably accommodate several hens at a time. Meaning you can eliminate having several nests and instead have this one that has a large capacity.
Do you have a chicken hatch? This nest attaches safely and securely on your hatch. The Ware product is one nest that is recommended highly for egg farmers.
Buy from Amazon
Six pack rite farm products washable poly egg nesting box chicken laying coop
Imagine having heavy-duty nests that you can wash with ease. These six nests can be a great solution for a chicken farmer. Cleaning nests are one of the issues that make chicken keeping a big deal, especially if you have a significant number of chickens. If you have six-pack washables, then you can worry less because they are easy to clean since they do not stick to dirt.
They have an open design that is good for mounting on a wall with ease, and you do not have to worry about assembling them. The six-pack has a great design with an egg-like shape drawn at the rear. That makes the design different from others and cute to see.
One thing that amuses me about these nests is their simplicity and design considering how cheap they are. They sell at affordable prices if you consider value and quantity. Apart from this, they have ample space to accommodate all breeds of chicken.
Buy from Amazon
Precision pet 7029288 triple nesting box
Congestion is one of the problems that chicken farmers face. It is easier for the chickens to fall sick when they are congested. Chickens also suffer from distress and will start dying because of being overcrowded.
Precision pet triple nesting box if a perfect solution should you face such a problem. Note that proper handling of chickens is one way of making sure you receive maximum benefits from your work. Portability is one other feature that makes it great.
This nest completely discourages roosting because it has an open top on each nest. You do not need nest sharing if you are focused on protecting your birds. Acquiring this nest will help you ensure that. These nests come in single, double, and triple nesting packs. You can have three in one, and they are simple and easy to clean too. The price of the nest on amazon.com is very affordable.
Buy from Amazon
Roll out nesting box with curtains and removable nesting pad for chicken
If you enjoy having classic and attractive things around you, then you should consider this nest. It could be one of the most advanced nesting boxes on the market today. Just from the name, you can expect no less than the best features from this product.
Made with a slanting top helps prevent roosting as well as ensure chickens stay off the lid. Just like humans, chickens enjoy having some privacy, as well. This box has curtains that provide privacy for chicken with a coop.
The curtains also shield the eggs from being eaten by the chicken and predators. If a hen starts to eat her eggs, there is no way to stop it. (you can read more about tips to protect chickens from predators)
There are eggs that may roll easier than others, which can be a bit of a problem. With this nesting pad, you can use the adjustable nesting slope to ensure the eggs roll together. The feature that helps a nesting pad to be a good choice with the ease of cleaning.
This box has a removable nesting pad which is easy to clean. Due to the material, polyethylene, this product has a head-start on defeating bacteria before it spreads.
The pad, however, needs to be placed 2-3’ off the ground inside the chicken coop and should not be far from the waterer and feeder.
Buy from Amazon
Brower 404B 4-hole poultry nest
Among all the nests, this is the best on the market currently. Beginning with the design, you will notice with ease that there is not one with a similar design. It looks complicated yet so easy to apply.
Made with a removable bottom that makes cleaning so easy and you will not need to lean under the nests to get them cleaned. It may look hard from afar, but the nest is very easy to assemble, thanks to it is a galvanized material that shields it from rust and rot.
Hens get injured too. Well, this one has folded edges that prevent injury for you and the chicken. With the ventilation holes on the sides, you are sure to have a proper circulation of air for your chicken. This nest makes poultry keeping very easy and enjoyable at the same time. You can buy on online through channels like Amazon.
Buy from Amazon
FAQs:
Q. What should I consider when choosing a nesting box?
A: There are many factors to consider, but the main ones are to think about the number of chickens you have first before making a decision. Think of it from a security point of view; the box should be secure and have enough space to make your chicken comfortable.
Q. What can make my chicken avoid the nesting box and how can prevent this?
A: Birds can be stressed too; one thing that can make them stressed is congestion and hygiene. If the boxes are kept dirty, the chicken will avoid them. The solution is to keep proper ventilation and ensure the nests stay clean.
Q. My chicken is eating eggs, what causes this and why?
A: Always ensure your nesting box is secure and safe for the eggs. When eggs break, the chicken will eat to keep them away from predators. If they discover how sweet the eggs are, there is no stopping them. We advise you to use safe nests and especially ones that have nets, so they do not see the eggs.
Q. Can I acquire a nesting box from another country?
A: Absolutely. Technology has made things easy for the whole world. All you have to do is log on to a website like Amazon, and you will find your product. If it is available in your city, it is possible that it ships to you.
Q. Are there different types of nesting boxes?
A: Yes, there are, and you need to find one that suits your needs better. Not all will serve you well, and you must do your research to find the right nest for your chicken.
Conclusion
Chicken farming can be quite a challenging task. However, with the right tools and the right mindset in the business, you can achieve great heights. Find ways always to ensure that you have the best product on the market so that you do not regret it later.
It may seem too costly to purchase a nesting box or boxes, but if your coop is big, you will find this completely necessary. Making your own nest at home is a good idea, but it may not contain all the qualities of a good nesting box. That means you are left with the choice to purchase one.
The reason why getting a proper nesting box is essential is that you need the best production. Keeping cleanliness your center of attention ensures you have clean food for sale and or personal consumption.
The guidelines provided in the article above is to enable you to have tips that will assist you with choosing the right chicken nesting box.
