Low Cost Ideas for Chicken Nests

Chickens need nesting boxes in order to lay eggs. A nesting box gives the hen a feeling of security and allows her time to sit and lay an egg in peace. When I started putting my coop together, I realized I needed nesting boxes for my chickens. Only, the boxes I saw were terribly expensive for what you get. I'm not handy with hardware, but after watching some videos of other people's chickens, I realized that I was going about it all wrong.

Most chickens don't care what a nesting box looks like as long as they feel secure within them and can lay their eggs. Beyond that, it can be anything large enough that will accommodate a hen. You can use sturdy crates or wooden boxes as long as they are at least one square foot inside.

Step 1

Decide where to put the nest inside the coop. Some nests can sit on the ground, but many chickens like a nest higher than the roost.

Step 2

Install a shelf where the nest will go if you are planning to have the nest higher than ground level.

Step 3

Place the crates on the shelf and fill with straw, hay or pine shavings.

Step 4

Place a couple of golf balls in the nests to encourage your hens to lay in them. The gold balls look like eggs to the chickens and they will lay their eggs beside the "eggs" that are already there.

Things You'll Need

Wooden crate, plastic milk crate or plastic dog carrier
Hay, straw or pine shavings
Shelf (optional)
Hammer
Screwdriver
Nails
Screws
Coop
Golf balls

Reference

"Raising Chickens for Dummies," Kimberly Willis, Rob Ludlow; 2009

"Chickens in Your Backyard," Rick and Gail Luttmann; 1976