When buying laying hens the intent is quite evident: to enjoy good zero-kilometer eggs. In fact, taking particular care of the health of these animals, making them live outdoors, run around in the garden and regulate themselves on the daily and seasonal rhythms of nature, provides a considerable gain in terms of the quality of the eggs produced. However, it is imperative to pay attention to the type of nest in which the hens will go to lay their eggs.
The best nest for the best eggs: how to make it
If they do not have a suitable nest, the hens will distribute their precious eggs in the garden, making harvesting quite difficult. It is in the owner's interest to create excellent nests and educate his hens to lay inside them, minimizing the possibility of them being lost or eaten and spoiled by other predators. At first, maybe when you still don't have the chicken coop nests, it is possible to build small makeshift bunks, using cardboard boxes, wicker containers or even wooden structures. The important thing is that they are intact, without protruding nails or splinters, which could injure the animals and damage the eggs.
Another important factor to consider is the size of the nest, which must be adapted to those of the animal. Generally, for a medium-sized specimen, a container of 30 x 30 x 30 cm is sufficient, filled with soft material in order to keep the eggs in the right warmth and guarantee the hens a comfortable hatching. In fact, if the element of comfort is lacking, the animal will leave the nest to lay elsewhere. For this reason it is not recommended to use makeshift constructions for a long time, preferring instead to equip oneself as soon as possible with structured and comfortable nests, which prevent the escape of the hens.
A comfortable nest is a guarantee of healthy eggs
To make sure of the effective nests, which favor the brooding of hens and protect the eggs from dangers, it is desirable to build structures that mimic those of the best domestic chicken coops In circulation. Spacious constructions will therefore be favored, so as to be able to place the nests away from the perches, in an isolated and silent compartment. In fact, a fundamental requirement for good hatching is quiet: the hen must not be disturbed, but rather be in a secluded, quiet and damp place. In fact, it is necessary to avoid creating a microclimate that favors the cooling of the animals which, having to spend a lot of time still and in low light conditions, would be more prone to suffer the cold. This would negatively affect the welfare of the hen, as well as on the quality of hatched eggs.
The nests should therefore be kept clean and dry, taking care the hygiene of the entire hen house. For this reason a material such as wood could be unsuitable, as it is easily perishable and prone to the absorption of liquids and humidity. Build a comfortable nest it is not an easy thing, above all because the feeling of comfort must be maintained over time, intervening with a series of precautions that in the long run can be heavy or unsustainable for those who are not an expert breeder. For this it is definitely advisable to buy a professional chicken coop for laying hens, made with the best hypoallergenic materials and structured in order to keep the nests in the best conditions.
