Nesting boxes are important and useful for chickens and their keepers. They give hens clean, private, peaceful spaces that keep them happy while encouraging them to lay eggs. While nesting boxes aren’t required for chickens to lay eggs, they help hens feel comfortable enough to keep producing them. Without these boxes, eggs may be found in random places and accidentally broken before they are collected. Nesting boxes keep the eggs where they’re supposed to be and make collection easier.
Choosing the right nesting box is important to be able to keep enjoying one of the best benefits of keeping chickens. But it can be hard to decide which one is best. There are many different models on the market today. To help, we gathered our six favorites so you can compare the reviews and decide which one is right for your hens.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Olba My Cozy Poultry Nest Box
Easy to clean
Keeps hens safe and comfortable
Regulates temperature
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Best Value
Ware Chick-N-Nesting Box
Comes fully assembled
Easy to clean
Comfortable spot for hens to rest
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Premium Choice
Homestead Essentials Classic 3 Compartment Nesting Box
Eggs roll forward to stay protected
Sturdy construction
Trays won’t rust or corrode
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Rite Farm 6 Pack Chicken Nests
Suitable for a large flock
Easy to clean
Durable material
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Miller 4 Pack Wall Mount Nesting Boxes
Roomy interior
Durable plastic material
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The 6 Best Chicken Nesting Boxes
The Olba My Cozy Poultry Nest Box is the best overall pick for a chicken nesting box. This covered box lets in minimal light and gives hens a comfortable, safe place for laying eggs.
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To keep hens comfortable, the box has draft-free vents that regulate the temperature by enabling air to flow freely. The inside edges prevent a chicken from scratching or kicking out the nesting material. This nesting box is made to mount to a wall. It can be removed for easy cleaning and replaced.
The trendy design and coloring of the box make it an attractive addition to your coop. The box is designed to meet your hen’s natural instinct when it comes to laying eggs. This product is made out of long-lasting polypropylene, which is durable and easy to clean. The front of the box includes a non-skid step to help hens easily enter and exit. Best of all, the box can accommodate up to five hens.
Pros
Easy to clean
Keeps hens safe and comfortable
Regulates temperature
Cons
May need multiple boxes for a large flock
Cannot be completely closed
The Ware Chick-N-Nesting Box gives your hens a place to roost and lay eggs. It can be used in most chicken coops and hutches. These boxes are made of pressed wood and are the best chicken nesting boxes for the money. While the box isn’t covered, it’s an ideal option for a hen that prefers uncovered boxes without compromising her feeling of safety.
Easy to clean
Keeps hens safe and comfortable
Regulates temperature
- Easy to clean
- Keeps hens safe and comfortable
- Regulates temperature
May need multiple boxes for a large flock
Cannot be completely closed
- May need multiple boxes for a large flock
- Cannot be completely closed
The back panel of this box is open for easy egg collection. The boxes come fully assembled and are easy to empty and clean. Chickens can enjoy using the box as a place to rest in addition to laying eggs.
Since the boxes are made of pressed wood, they have been reported to be damaged during shipping. They’re not as durable as some other boxes and may arrive cracked or broken.
Pros
Comes fully assembled
Easy to clean
Comfortable spot for hens to rest
Cons
May be damaged during shipping
No covering
The Homestead Essentials Classic 3 Compartment Nesting Box is designed in a way that lets eggs roll forward under the lid. This protects them from damage until you’re able to collect them. Bedding can be added under the lid to further protect the eggs. Steel panels and roofing make a private nesting area for your chickens.
Comes fully assembled
Easy to clean
Comfortable spot for hens to rest
- Comes fully assembled
- Easy to clean
- Comfortable spot for hens to rest
May be damaged during shipping
No covering
- May be damaged during shipping
- No covering
Ventilation holes line the outside panels. The trays are made of plastic so they’re easy to clean and won’t rust or corrode. The tray has a filtered base that enables waste to fall through, keeping the boxes and eggs clean. Each box can accommodate up to 15 hens.
Pros
Eggs roll forward to stay protected
Sturdy construction
Trays won’t rust or corrode
Cons
Steel panels may bend easily
Confusing assembly instructions
- Rite Farm 6 Pack Chicken Nests Check Latest Price
Dimensions 18”L x 12”W x 12”H
Material Polyethylene
Weight 12 pounds
The lightweight Rite Farm 6 Pack Chicken Nests are easy to install and can be placed wherever your hens prefer them. They are mounted directly to the wall. The open egg-shaped back lets you easily gather the eggs.
Eggs roll forward to stay protected
Sturdy construction
Trays won’t rust or corrode
- Eggs roll forward to stay protected
- Sturdy construction
- Trays won’t rust or corrode
Steel panels may bend easily
Confusing assembly instructions
- Steel panels may bend easily
- Confusing assembly instructions
Each nesting box can be filled with the bedding or pad of your choice. Cleanup is easy and can be done while the boxes are attached to the wall. The polyethylene material won’t hold heat or cold as metal would. Your hens won’t be uncomfortable as the seasons change.
The convenient multipack of nesting boxes enables you to put them at various heights in your chicken coop. They can be placed in your hens’ favorite spots to encourage use. This pack will accommodate up to 30 hens.
Pros
Suitable for a large flock
Easy to clean
Durable material
Cons
Mounting materials are not included
- Miller 4 Pack Wall Mount Nesting Boxes Check Latest Price
Dimensions 20”L x 20”W x 20”H
Material Polyethylene
Weight 15 pounds
The durable Miller 4 Pack Wall Mount Nesting Boxes are designed to last for years. The self-contained boxes are wall-mounted and can be removed for easy cleaning. This box will fit nearly all breeds of chickens. This pack of four will work great for a small flock.
Suitable for a large flock
Easy to clean
Durable material
- Suitable for a large flock
- Easy to clean
- Durable material
Mounting materials are not included
- Mounting materials are not included
The boxes don’t include nesting material or pads, so these will have to be added to keep your chickens comfortable. The sloped top of the box makes roosting there impossible, so the outsides of the boxes won’t get soiled. The perch on the outside helps your chickens get their footing before they enter through the opening.
The well-ventilated plastic regulates the inside temperature. The complete enclosure gives your hens more darkness and privacy than other boxes, while still being roomy enough to provide comfort. Chickens can move and turn around inside. Increased airflow also helps keep their bedding material dry.
Pros
Roomy interior
Durable plastic material
Cons
Single-use boxes
Interior material may be slippery without bedding
- Rural365 Single Chicken Nesting Box Check Latest Price
Dimensions 16.9”L x 12.9”W x 6.25”H
Material Plastic, metal
Weight 14.1 pounds
The Rural365 Single Chicken Nesting Box is easy to assemble, and all the hardware is included. The downward slope of the nest pad enables the eggs to roll into the egg-collecting tray and protects them from damage. The hinged egg collection tray can store up to 15 eggs at a time.
Roomy interior
Durable plastic material
- Roomy interior
- Durable plastic material
Single-use boxes
Interior material may be slippery without bedding
- Single-use boxes
- Interior material may be slippery without bedding
The box has a modern design and comes with curtains that block out light and give your hens privacy. Some hens may be reluctant to try them out at first, so you may have to physically place them into the boxes.
Unfortunately, if you have a determined egg-eating hen, they may be able to fit their heads into the egg slot and reach the eggs. This shouldn’t be a problem if your chickens don’t care for eggs, though.
Pros
Eggs roll into a tray to be collected
Curtains provide privacy
Cons
Egg-eating hens may still be able to reach the eggs
Eggs roll into a tray to be collected
Curtains provide privacy
- Eggs roll into a tray to be collected
- Curtains provide privacy
Egg-eating hens may still be able to reach the eggs
- Egg-eating hens may still be able to reach the eggs
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing The Best Chicken Nesting Box
Types of Chicken Nesting Boxes
Wood: Wooden nesting boxes are available in many different options. They’re durable, readily available for purchase, and easy to make yourself. Wooden nesting boxes should only be used inside of the coop. If placed outside, the wood can rot over time due to sun and rain exposure. Wood is more difficult to clean than plastic or metal, and chickens can damage it over time by pecking at it.
Plastic: Plastic nesting boxes may be cheaper than wood and are usually sold individually. They may be placed outdoors and are easy to clean. Some plastics are bacteria-resistant. Softer plastics will scratch over time and this will make them more difficult to clean.
Metal: Metal nesting boxes are lightweight, easy to clean, and extremely durable. Metal boxes usually contain multiple compartments for several chickens to use at once. Make sure no sharp edges are exposed.
Rollaway: These boxes have a slanted floor so the eggs can roll to the front or back of the box, away from the hen. This keeps them from being accidentally broken and lets them stay clean until you collect them.
Multiple Chickens
You may be wondering why a single nesting box is suitable for multiple chickens.
Wood: Wooden nesting boxes are available in many different options. They’re durable, readily available for purchase, and easy to make yourself. Wooden nesting boxes should only be used inside of the coop. If placed outside, the wood can rot over time due to sun and rain exposure. Wood is more difficult to clean than plastic or metal, and chickens can damage it over time by pecking at it.
Plastic: Plastic nesting boxes may be cheaper than wood and are usually sold individually. They may be placed outdoors and are easy to clean. Some plastics are bacteria-resistant. Softer plastics will scratch over time and this will make them more difficult to clean.
Metal: Metal nesting boxes are lightweight, easy to clean, and extremely durable. Metal boxes usually contain multiple compartments for several chickens to use at once. Make sure no sharp edges are exposed.
Rollaway: These boxes have a slanted floor so the eggs can roll to the front or back of the box, away from the hen. This keeps them from being accidentally broken and lets them stay clean until you collect them.
- Wood: Wooden nesting boxes are available in many different options. They’re durable, readily available for purchase, and easy to make yourself. Wooden nesting boxes should only be used inside of the coop. If placed outside, the wood can rot over time due to sun and rain exposure. Wood is more difficult to clean than plastic or metal, and chickens can damage it over time by pecking at it.
- Plastic: Plastic nesting boxes may be cheaper than wood and are usually sold individually. They may be placed outdoors and are easy to clean. Some plastics are bacteria-resistant. Softer plastics will scratch over time and this will make them more difficult to clean.
- Metal: Metal nesting boxes are lightweight, easy to clean, and extremely durable. Metal boxes usually contain multiple compartments for several chickens to use at once. Make sure no sharp edges are exposed.
- Rollaway: These boxes have a slanted floor so the eggs can roll to the front or back of the box, away from the hen. This keeps them from being accidentally broken and lets them stay clean until you collect them.
Hens will share nests that are set up with the best conditions. Since a hen will lay an egg and then leave, there is plenty of time for other hens to visit the same nest and lay their eggs afterward.
With this method, only one hen is responsible for hatching the eggs if you’re breeding your chickens. This is ingrained behavior that lets the rest of the flock carry on with their normal activities. It cuts down on the labor of hatching eggs.
Do Hens Sleep in Nesting Boxes?
Some might but this behavior isn’t encouraged. Chickens sleep on roosting bars and typically don’t lay eggs at night. To give your chickens the right idea, provide roosting bars and nesting boxes for them. They’ll instinctually know what to do.
Nesting boxes can become soiled quickly if the hens are using them as sleeping spaces. The dirtier the boxes become, the less your hens will want to use them for laying eggs.
What If They Don’t Get the Idea?
Sometimes, hens just don’t figure it out. In this case, placing fake eggs in the nesting boxes and then putting the hens in the boxes with the eggs will show them what the boxes are for.
Hens prefer dark, private spaces that feel safe to lay their eggs. Make sure the boxes you use are placed in secure areas, perhaps where hens have previously laid eggs.
Conclusion
Our best overall choice for a chicken nesting box is the Olba My Cozy Poultry Nest Box. It’s easy to clean and provides hens with a comfortable, private place to lay their eggs. For the best value, we like the Ware Chick-N-Nesting Box. It’s not covered, but it still provides a secure place for hens and comes fully assembled. The Homestead Essentials Classic 3 Compartment Nesting Box has a rollaway floor so the eggs stay clean and intact before you’re able to collect them. We hope that these reviews have helped you choose the right nesting box for your hens.
Featured Image Credit: JFJacobsz, Shutterstock
