Nest box question for chickens?

Question

well can a new chicken be in a wide open place or does it have to be in a barn like place and if you can list mabe a place ware it shows how to make a nest boxs with lachis in the back so i can get the eggs and when i mean wide open i mean a fenced area just with some nest boxes plzzzzz help info of boxes and pics

Answer 1

Get your chooks at point of lay (from 16 weeks old) from a reputable breeder.  This way you know they're healthy, vaccinated and that they're hens, not roosters.

When it comes to housing, chooks aren't too fussy but they do have some basic requirements.  Position the coop so the chooks get the morning sun but don't end up roasted in the afternoon.  A coop has a solid roof and walls at one end and a wire-covered run at the other.  This way they get enough sun but can be sheltered from the rain and cold.  The covered end must be draught free and rainproof and have elevated nesting boxes (drawers from an old clothes chest are good) and perches (smooth, straight, sturdy tree branches will do).  A deep litter system for flooring is good, with straw provided for nest boxes.  A gentle slope to allow drainage is very important.

Side walls and fences need to be buried at least 50 centimetres into the ground so foxes and other predators can't dig underneath, and ensure there are no gaps around the doors through which a fox could squeeze.

Commercial layer pellets are the mainstay of the diet, supplemented with kitchen scraps (but no toxic rhubarb).  Provide "scratch" (grain) for them to eat around the yard and they'll need grit to help digestion.  Water quality is also important.  Chickens have a habit of fouling their water, which can make them more prone to disease.