What Makes a Good Nest Box?
- whitneycroft
- Sep 5, 2025
- 3 min read
What Makes a Good Nest Box?
A solid nest box should check a few simple boxes (pun intended):
Size & Space: Big enough for a hen to comfortably settle in.
Easy to Clean: Because we all know chickens aren’t tidy.
Ventilation & Comfort: A box that feels cozy but not stifling.
Accessibility: Easy for hens to hop in and out — and easy for you to gather eggs.
Every flock is different, and sometimes it takes experimenting to see what your hens prefer.
Common Nesting Problems (and How to Fix Them)
Even with the “perfect” setup, hens can throw you curveballs. Here are some common issues I’ve run into:
Hens refusing the box: Sometimes they’ll lay in corners of the coop- mine are notorious for laying in my wood shed. Making boxes feel enclosed and private often helps.
Egg eating: This can happen if eggs crack easily. Soft bedding helps, as does collecting eggs often.
Broody hens hogging the nest box: If one girl decides the box is hers, you may need to give her her own space.
Not enough boxes: The rule of thumb is 1 box for every 3–4 hens, but more is always better.
Bedding Options for Nest Boxes
Bedding matters more than you might think. I’ve tried:
Straw: Classic, but not the most absorbent.
Wood shavings: Smell nice and are absorbent, but don’t always stay put.
Herbs: A lovely addition for scent and possible pest-repelling benefits.
Hay: My go-to, since I raise horses and cattle — it’s convenient, comfy, and my hens like it.
Whatever bedding you use, the key is changing it often. Fresh bedding keeps hens happy and discourages mites.
My Experience With Different Nest Boxes
Wooden Nest Boxes
They’re sturdy and traditional, but mites are a nightmare with wood. They hide in the grain and cracks, making them nearly impossible to eradicate. Plus, wood isn’t easy to hose down when it gets messy.
Roll-Out Plastic Nest Boxes
The idea is clever — eggs roll to the front, keeping them safe. But in practice, I’ve found them lacking. They don’t allow for bedding, and my hens simply won’t lay in a bare box. On the rare occasions they do, the eggs often crack from hitting the hard surface.
The Little Giant Nest Box (My Favorite)
After a lot of trial and error, the one nest box I keep coming back to is the Little Giant Nest Box. Here’s why:
Roomy & Comfortable: Plenty of space for hens, and you can add bedding.
Easy to Clean: It hangs on nails, so I just lift it down, hose it out, and hang it back up.
Enclosed Design: This is key. Many of my chickens won’t use open-top boxes, but when I compared open-top boxes to the Little Giant, nearly all my hens chose the enclosed Little Giant every time.
Durable & Worth the Cost: They’re not the cheapest option, but for the convenience and how much my hens love them, I consider them well worth it.
I keep mine lined with hay and change it regularly — and my hens are consistently happy to use it.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the best nest box is the one your chickens actually use. Every flock has its quirks, but for me, the Little Giant Nest Box has solved more problems than any other. It’s comfortable, easy to clean, and preferred by my hens over any other style I’ve tried.
If you’re experimenting with nest boxes yourself, don’t be afraid to try different styles and see what your flock likes best. A little trial and error goes a long way toward happier hens and healthier eggs.
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