The short answer is no, dividers are not required for nesting boxes. A nesting box’s main function is to give chickens a secure and cozy area to lay their eggs. Although they are not necessary, dividers can aid in keeping the eggs separated and stop them from rolling around.
Because nesting box dividers can lessen egg breakage, some chicken owners prefer to utilize them. Eggs can easily crack or break when left to roll around in a shared nesting box, which is messy and unhygienic. Dividers can aid in keeping the eggs separated and guard against damage.
Other chicken owners, on the other hand, contend that dividers are superfluous and even harmful to the welfare of the birds. Dividers can cause chickens to feel lonely and stressed because they are social creatures and want to be close to one another. Furthermore, separators may make it more challenging for chickens to get to the nesting box, which may cause dissatisfaction and perhaps impair egg production.
It’s crucial to make sure that your nesting boxes’ partitions are detachable if you decide to use them. You may then quickly clean the boxes and make any repairs that are required. To ensure that the chickens can still reach the boxes comfortably, check that the partitions are not too high or low.
It’s crucial to allow adequate room for the chickens to comfortably roost when it comes to the size of a chicken roost. The basic recommendation is to let each bird at least 8 inches of roosting area. So, a roost for four chickens needs to be at least 32 inches long.
In conclusion, dividers for nesting boxes are not necessary, however they can be useful in reducing egg breakage. However, it’s crucial to take into account any potential adverse impact that dividers may have on the welfare of the hens. Make sure you leave adequate room for the chickens to comfortably roost when it comes to the size of a chicken roost.