Will My Hens Nest in a Milk Crate?

A happy hen is a healthy hen, and a healthy hen is a productive hen who will lay the best tasting and most nutritional eggs. A safe, warm and dry environment where the hen can relax and feel at home is essential if you want her to lay well. Contrary to popular belief, when laying eggs, hens prefer shoe box-size nesting spaces to large communal areas. These nests do not have to be state-of-the-art affairs, and in fact, can easily be made from readily available items such as milk crates.

  1. Nesting Boxes

    • If you keep chickens, a nesting box is not a necessity. Hens will still lay eggs, but not at such a prolific rate. Hens who are not in the habit of laying in a nest, tend to leave their eggs everywhere. Finding them by accident at the back of the shed or in the old lawnmower box can begin to feel like a permanent Easter egg hunt. Therefore, a permanent and private nest for your hens is essential if you are serious about keeping chickens.

    Positioning The Nest

    • A chicken's nest should always be placed 3 or 4 feet above the ground to prevent pests and predators from stealing the eggs. Ideally, it should be in a small, dark corner somewhere, away from direct sunlight and excessive noise. Most hens lay early in the day, so it is advantageous to let them stay in the milk crate until their day's work is done and dusted.

    Creature Comforts

    • For bedding, it is recommended to put a little straw in your hen's nest box. When it becomes soiled with waste matter or broken eggs, you must change it for fresh, clean bedding material. If your hens appears to have problems laying, try placing a fake ceramic egg in the milk crate. This time-honored method will plant the idea in your hens' head that the milk crate is now the place to lay eggs.

    The Old Mik Crate

    • When it is turned on its side and attached firmly to a wall, a milk crate can become the ideal home for your hens to lay in. It is secure, sturdy, and safe and because it is made out of plastic a milk crate also has the added advantage of being easily cleaned. Overall, a milk crate it is an "egg-cellent" choice for your hens to nest in.