Alternatives for Chicken Nesting Boxes

Chickens that are nesting feel vulnerable and require a suitable and safe box in which to lay and incubate their eggs. Correctly constructed chicken nesting boxes are ideal for laying hens, but there are also readily available alternatives, including materials already in your possession.

  1. Plastic Buckets

    • Plastic buckets are inexpensive and available to anyone. Plastic buckets are durable, and because chickens can crawl deep inside these, they feel completely secure. The bucket protects the nesting hen on all sides, but still allows it to have visual contact with the other chickens. Wedge stones, bricks or suitably shaped pieces of wood against both sides of the plastic buckets to keep it firmly in place.

    Plastic Crates

    • A plastic milk crate is an easily obtainable and durable alternative to a chicken nesting box. Secure these crates to a solid structure in the barn or outdoors, using wire or string. Place the crate on its side, to offer the hens an opportunity to look out and thereby keep visual contact with the rest of the group. Plastic crates also offer a top for protection from the elements, which is important to nesting chickens. Plastic milk crates are large enough for a laying hen to turn around in, but not so large as to allow other hens to enter and disturb the nesting bird.

    Cardboard Boxes

    • Use these boxes as an alternative to nesting boxes in emergency situations. Position cardboard boxes inside a barn or shed or under an awning or similar structure, as they are not very waterproof. Cardboard boxes can however be quite suitable for a single nesting period and have the advantage of offering the chicken cover on all sides. Boxes come in so many different sizes that it will be easy to source a box that is just right.

    Rubbermaid Bins

    • Rubbermaid bins are waterproof and deep enough to allow a chicken to feel very secure. Position the bin either inside a shed or in the yard. It will require nothing more than bedding inside and wood wedges or stones to keep them from rolling or moving in any way.