Raising chickens is a great and profitable experience, especially when you give them a good home. While it is great to get a large enough coop for the chicken, they soon grow up and start nesting. Instead of building a different nesting box elsewhere, it was more practical for me to combine it with the coop.
In my quest to find the best chicken coop with a nesting box, I came across these amazing options. In this article, I will outline what a chicken coop and a nesting box are and tell you what you need to look for in the combination.
Defining the Chicken Coop and Nesting Box?
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When you have a dog, you can keep it in a kennel, but for chicken, you use a coop. The home will keep the chicken safe, comfortable, and active. Since chickens are birds, coops have an environment that makes it easier for them to perch and be fowls.
Coops are not limited to housing chickens and can be used by other birds.
On the other hand, a nest box is where the chicken or other fowl lay their eggs. A nesting box is ideal because the chicken will often pick a specific place to lay its eggs and will hardly make a change. This is instinctive as the chicken intends to brood the eggs together, hence the need to lay them in one spot.
The chicken nesting boxes must be comfortable. Otherwise, the chicken might be tempted to start laying eggs in hidden places. Since we are looking at good coops and nest boxes, I will outline what you need to look for each.
Best Coop with a Nest Box
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1) SnapLock Cage
- LARGE CHICKEN COOP - 4 nesting spots with removable dividers, three 36” roosts.
- STURDY - Water and chemical resistant, impact and ultraviolet resistant.
- MAINTENANCE FREE - Removable litter tray, large adjustable ventilation, easy access for egg collection.
- EASY ASSEMBLY - No tools required – just snap together. Lightweight!
- MADE IN USA - Built in the United States.
Last update on 2022-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is the one for you if you are into a stylish coop. The box is easy to assemble and is made of durable material. The cage's weatherproof concept is why I had to get it. There are four nesting boxes, which makes it easier for me because I have a lot of chicken.
Image Source: snaplockchickencoops.com
The cage is water-resistant, which is a big deal for me. The nesting material in the cage will last long without going bad because the cage is always dry.
Pros
Cons
2) Prevue Coop
- Comfortably accommodates 8 to 10 hens
- Two nest boxes, with four nesting areas each
- Large ventilated coop area plus protected chicken run
- Lots of living space yet compact enough for the urban farm
- Exterior Dimensions: 90 1/2" L x 54" w x 51 1/2" H
Last update on 2022-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Prevue has a fancy design which makes my backyard look exciting. More importantly, the coop is large and can host up to ten chickens. The coop is weather-proof with enough chicken run space.
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The two nest boxes are sufficient for ten hens as hens lay in slightly different periods. I can easily manage a good bunch of hens in this one.
Pros
Cons
3) Greatest Pet Shop Coop
- 🐔 A PERFECT GIFT FOR SMALL PET: This rural 2-tier hutch provides a safe environment for your small animal...
- 🐔 WOOD CONSTRUCTION: This wooden hutch is made from fully treated and grooved fir wood; Waterproof sloping...
- 🐔 SPACIOUS AND SAFE ACTIVITY AREAS: This hutch fits approximately 2-3 chickens and provides your pets with an...
- 🐔 A VENTILATED RESTING ROOM: The upper resting room that is accessed through the ramp is equipped with a...
- 🐔 EASY TO ACCESS AND ASSEMBLE: Three outside doors with slide-bolt latches make access easy and are convenient...
Last update on 2022-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
True to its name, this coop is really good. I bought it because it has treated wood, which adds to its durability. I had it specifically because of stubborn hens who needed some time out. This coop allows me to gather eggs easily and helps me manage backyard chickens without trouble.
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I had an easy time assembling the coop, and I still enjoy using it to date.
Pros
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4) Ogrmar Chicken Coop
- 【Raised Perches & Comfortable for Poultry】The raised perch keeps your poultry safe, dry and warm, especially in...
- 【Spacious Space & User-friendly Design】58" chicken coop comes with nesting box, resting box and ramp. Your...
- 【Removable tray & Gridding Fences】There is removable bottom sliding tray for easy cleaning. High quality...
- 【Shipping & Customer Service】UPS or USPS will deliver the item to your house in 3-6 business days after you...
- 【Sturdy Construction & Weatherproof】Constructed by premium natural fir wood and painted with eco-friendly...
Last update on 2022-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Ogrmar has all the features I would look for in a coop, including the best nest box. The chicken coop has a hen cage and a ventilation door. The chicken is not starved of fresh air due to tiny ventilation holes, and Ogrmar will keep healthy chicken.
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The removable tray on the coop ensures easy cleaning, and the chicken nesting box size is sufficient for comfortable egg-laying.
Pros
Cons
5) MIXXIDEA Coop
- SECURE CHICKEN COOP: This high-quality large chicken coop is suitable for keeping chickens, hens, ducks and many...
- LARGE CHICKEN NESTING BOXES: The built-in nesting boxes chicken measure 12.7"(L) x 27.7 "(W) x 13.4"(H) which has...
- DELUXE CHICKEN COOPS: This deluxe chicken tractor makes it possible for your poultry pets to move seamlessly from...
- EASY TO CLEAN CHICKEN PEN: It’s necessary to give your chickens a sanitary and comfortable home, our chicken...
- DIMENSIONS OF CHICKEN RUN: 65.3 "(L) x 27.7 "(W) x 33.3 "(H), this multi-level chicken runs for yard with cover has...
Last update on 2022-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
MIXXIDEA is a portable coop, which is a huge advantage when I have to move my chicken to the market or the agricultural show. The coop is well-ventilated, which is the first thing I look for when picking a coop.
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In addition, there are perching spots that keep my chicken happy.
Pros
Cons
Features of a Good Nest Box
a) Nesting Box Material
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A nesting box can be made out of different materials. The material does not matter as long as it can take good care of the birds without harming them. Here are some materials the chicken nesting boxes can be made out of.
i) Wooden Boxes
Wooden boxes are perhaps the most popular nesting box type used worldwide. This is because anyone who keeps chicken like me is bound to be a DIYer, and the go-to material for most DIYers is wood.
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Wood is easy to make and is easily accessible.
The downside with wooden boxes is that they start rotting pretty soon if you place them outside. So treating the wood with materials might not be the best thing for the chicken's health.
ii) Metal Boxes
Metals are a great choice because they last longer than most other materials. A metal box is easier to clean and picks up heat better than other materials. Metallic boxes are light, especially the ones made out of aluminum.
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Metal boxes can be safer for the chicken because they do not absorb any fluids and are not a comfortable home for fleas whenever there is an infestation.
Metal boxes can be cheap and easy to maintain in case of damage.
The downside with any metallic materials is that they may start rusting or may get affected by the weather. Therefore, I would not recommend metal as a material for anyone living along the coast.
iii) Plastic Nesting Boxes
When I was starting, I went for plastic nest boxes. This is because plastic boxes are cheaper and more forgiving, especially for beginners. In addition, the boxes are easy to clean and fairly weatherproof.
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Plastic works great outdoors; you can place it anywhere if it is safe for the bird.
b) Roll-Away Nest Box
A huge advantage comes with roll-away nest boxes, especially if you are a large-scale farmer. When I started, I did not mind picking the eggs from each nesting box. However, as time went by and the chicken increased in number, I needed to automate things like collecting the eggs. This is where a roll-away nesting box comes in handy.
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Apart from easy collection, the roll-away box creates a safer environment for the eggs and prevents any damage that may occur to the egg due to trampling. In addition, some hens peck the eggs once they have laid them, and the boxes keep such characters at bay.
A roll-away box ensures all the eggs I am collecting are clean, saving me a lot of time later when I sell the eggs or keep them.
c) Nest Box Materials
Regardless of how good the nest box is, it is never complete without good materials. If the chicken nesting boxes are uncomfortable, the birds will naturally look for somewhere else to nest, which is never an easy time for a farmer. It is not fun hunting for eggs on the farm when you are not sure where the hen laid them.
Here are the materials I have used in nesting boxes over time.
i) Sand
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Sand comes naturally for most birds or reptiles that lay eggs and brood over them. This is because sand is soft and does not potentially harm the eggs. Sand can keep the eggs warm over a long period. There is a reason why sand works well, even for baking. Once sand picks up heat, it will do a great job of retaining it.
Sand is easily accessible, and you do not have to struggle to find some compared to other nesting materials.
ii) Straw
Straw is the next best material for hens to lay their eggs. Like other birds, laying hens will find straw a more natural choice. Straw lasts a long time and becomes comfortable for the bird over time. While straw might not be the most available material, it is perhaps the most natural for the birds.
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The downside with straw is that I have to keep it dry. Otherwise, the straw might start rotting, which is not a good situation.
iii) Hemp
If you are a farmer, you need to reuse things. But, if you happen to plant hemp, you are lucky because these materials are as durable as they come.
iv) Paper Shreds
Paper shreds work just as well as straw nest boxes. It is vital to ensure the material strays dry to avoid bad odor and rot.
v) Raffia Bedding
If you love your flock, you will get them raffia bedding. These are comfortable and provide a secure place for the chicken to lay eggs.
vi) Leaves
Leaves also provide a relatively comfortable environment for the chicken to lay their eggs. In addition, leaves are easy to manipulate and will not give the flock a hard time.
vii) Sawdust/ Wood Shavings
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I am not a huge fan of sawdust, but it is one of the most suitable materials for the chicken to lay their eggs. There is an abundance of sawdust to find, and you can always replace sawdust with fresh ones anytime you wish to.
ix) Nesting Pads
Nesting pads are equivalent to happy hens if you are looking for options to buy on the internet. The pads are perfect for anyone who has no time for too much cleaning. Materials like sawdust demand a lot of cleaning.
d) Privacy Curtains
Chickens need the least amount of disturbance when laying eggs. Therefore, a curtain can come in handy. While I know my flock will not mind any curtain I give them, I try to have neat ones.
e) Perch
Before and after the chicken lays an egg, it tends to be a bit too excited and dramatic. Therefore, a perch makes it easier for the chicken to access and leave the nest box.
f) Sloped Roof
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A sloped roof has one function: to keep the chicken from roosting on top of the nesting box. If you allow the chicken to roost on top of the nest box, you will collect eggs with poop. The more the sloped parts, the better because rodents like rats that might be attracted to the chicken feed will be kept away.
g) Rear Access
Rear access allows for an easy egg collection once the chicken is done laying eggs.
Features of a Good Coop
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1) Large Size
A chicken coop needs to have a large roosting area with roosting bars that are enough to house at least seven hens. Chickens need space to spend the night without feeling distressed. If you never let your flock out of the boxes often, the more the incentive to have them be as large as possible.
A large coop allows easy cleaning without removing the flock while cleaning.
2) No-Sharp Edges
Chickens perch and a sharp edge is the worst thing you can have on your coop. When I had metallic coops, I would fold the edges to keep the flock from any form of injury.
3) Well Insulated
Image Source: largechickencoops.com
There are cold nights when you want to protect the chicken from the weather elements. At some point, I had to use filament bulbs and heaters to keep the chicken coops warm.
4) Ventilation Holes
The chicken would not be comfortable in a claustrophobic and crowded coup. But, on the other hand, a coop with fresh air is equal to healthy chicken.
5) Perch
Like most birds, chickens like to perch and sleep off the bottom edge of the coop. Standard breeds and other breeds avoid the ground, a common occurrence among chickens.
Final Thoughts
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If there are things I care about, they would be my chickens. To keep the hens healthy and productive, I can not take chances with the kind of coop I am getting. Therefore, I pay the closest attention to the coops with the best chicken nesting boxes for my flock.
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