Essentials for a Cosy and Efficient Chicken Coop:
Nest Boxes are key:
Keeping chickens in the backyard is a rewarding experience for many people. Fresh eggs and company are two perks, but they also have their own unique personalities and quirks that make them a delight to be around. It is critical as a chicken owner to provide a comfortable environment to ensure productivity and happiness within your flock. To do so, you must provide chickens with good nutrition, a comfortable climate, adequate social interactions, and environment too. An element that can go forgotten in chicken housing is the nest box. These are essential for encouraging egg laying, collecting clean eggs and making your hens happy by providing a comfortable place to lay. In this article, we will discuss the advantages of nest boxes and how they contribute to a comfortable and productive home. Nest boxes are essential for providing chickens with a specific area to lay their eggs. This reduces the likelihood of hens laying eggs in unexpected places or in dirty spots. Nest boxes facilitate egg collection while also keeping the coop or run clean and tidy. You can add straw or woodshavings to enhance the environment and maintain cleanliness. Nest boxes provide a cosy, private, and comfortable place for hens to lay their eggs, reducing stress in your flock and keeping happiness high. You will promote healthy egg-laying habits and improve egg quality by having a nest box available.
When chickens lay eggs on the ground or in unexpected locations, the eggs are more likely to become dirty, cracked, or broken. Nest boxes keep the eggs clean and less likely to be damaged, resulting in higher egg quality. This can help with hatching or make them more suitable for human consumption. To ensure that you have enough nest boxes for your flock, provide at least 1 nest box per ten hens. The box should be a minimum of 30cm by 30cm to provide enough space for hens to lay. Anything smaller or not enough boxes will increase the chances of damaging your eggs.
What chicken nesting box is suitable?
The big question is, what to use as a nest box? Some users result to making their own or purchasing a sheet metal design from their local fodder store. Many “do it yourself” nest boxes are easy to make and offer a safe and comfortable spot for hens to lay their eggs. However, they may have a short lifespan if not made from quality materials. It would be advisable to create your box out of UV stabilised plastic or metal rather than wood or standard plastic. Wood can host mites and other unwanted pests in your coop and therefore should be avoided. If you are looking for a high quality nest box that won’t break the bank and creates a comfortable and enticing environment for chickens, check out the Nesty Nest Box range. These boxes have been designed for peace of mind and to keep your hens happy and laying!
Selecting the right bedding:
When selecting a bedding for your nest box, use natural sources such as woodshavings or straw. This will be an inviting option for your hens to lay in. Remember to change your bedding every month or sooner if it is dirty as they can harbour unwanted pests which will make your flock unhappy and uncomfortable. In conclusion, nest boxes are critical for providing your chickens with a comfortable, safe, and productive environment. By providing a designated area for your birds to lay their eggs, you will encourage good behaviour, improve egg quality, make egg collection easier, and contribute to your flock's overall health and well-being.
