The general consensus among chicken keepers and experts is that one nesting box can comfortably serve about 3 to 5 hens. This is because hens do not all lay eggs simultaneously, and they often share nesting boxes, sometimes with two or three hens in the same box at once

. Here are some practical guidelines:

• For every 3 to 5 hens, provide one nesting box.
• For small flocks, it is recommended to have at least two nesting boxes even if you have fewer than 6 hens to prevent squabbles and waiting

• For example:
  • 6 hens need about 2 nesting boxes.
  • 12 hens need 3 to 4 nesting boxes.
  • 20 hens need 4 to 7 nesting boxes depending on their behavior and breed

Although you don't need a nesting box for every single hen, providing enough boxes reduces stress, bullying, and the risk of eggs being laid on the floor or broken

. In summary, the rule of thumb is: One nesting box per 3 to 5 hens, with a minimum of two boxes for small flocks. This balance ensures hens have enough space and choice for laying comfortably without excessive nesting boxes taking up space