The general purpose of a nest is to support the production of clean, fertile hatching eggs. Manual collection nesting systems are still popular in regions of the world. The correct setup and management of a manual nesting system is a big part of getting the best performance from a flock. 

Nestbox design

The nest must be the most attractive place in the house to lay the egg. The design and maintenance of nest boxes is probably the biggest challenge farmers experience with nest management. Wood or metal nests? Historically, nests were mainly constructed from wood, which is not suitable for washing and sanitising since they are not waterproof. Wooden nests are prone to damage and present biosecurity risks as insects can settle in the cracks and joints.

The legs of the manual nests should be adjustable to accommodate height increases as needed. Proper perch rail placement and height are essential for encouraging hens to jump and access the nesting holes. Perches directly beneath each other obstruct access to upper levels. The bottom perch should be wider, allowing space for hens to jump to the next level, ideally positioned 45cm from the ground. Once floor eggs are reduced to 1%, the height can be lowered to 25cm for older or heavier hens.

Implementing an anti-perch system on top of the nestbox is essential to prevent hens from perching and soiling the nests. Some nests feature loose inserts at the bottom, which can be problematic. These inserts often shift or fall out, causing the nesting material to leak. New nest designs feature a slide-out bottom tray or a centre tray to collect roll-away eggs. Be careful with this design, which may require additional help to hold the slide-out tray and the collection tray while collecting the eggs. Note that egg rolling can lead to cracks. Nest sizes are important to minimise floor eggs. The Cobb Breeder Guide recommends nests 25cm wide, 30cm high, and 25cm deep. Ensure nest depth is at least 15cm to offer females a sense of protection. Provide sufficient bedding to fill the nest at least ½ but no more than 2/3rd full. 

Nests with frames and loose inserts of cardboard or plastic are uncommon due to management challenges. These nests are difficult for hens to access, leading to floor eggs.  Nest edges must be strong enough to support a hen stepping in while being high enough to prevent eggs from rolling out. Ensure sufficient ventilation openings to allow air movement through the nest and light penetration. 

Nest setup in tunnel versus open-sided houses

In longitudinally ventilated poultry houses, it is recommended to position the nests sideways (parallel to the side walls). This orientation helps to minimise airspeed and drafts on the hens.  To ensure females are not deterred from the nests, the central passage between the nests should not be dominated by males. An extra water line down the centre of the house helps keep males in the centre as they won’t have to move to the sides for water access. 

Repair and maintenance

Proper repair and maintenance of nest boxes are essential for optimal hatching egg yield and cleanliness. Perches must be functional, and nest bottoms should hold shavings to encourage hens to enter. Nests without or non-functional bottoms will increase the number of hens per nest and contribute to higher numbers of floor eggs and more toe-punched eggs. Nests are expensive items to replace. Longevity and durability are preferred. Avoid less expensive versions with thin metal sheets, as they dent easily and become worn within months.

Nest hygiene 

Regular cleaning and sanitising of nests are essential to prevent fungal infections. Nest shavings must be completely replaced monthly and topped up in between as required. Do not overfill the nest with material, as the hens will scratch it out.

Introducing young hens to the nest

Introducing hens to the nests should start in the production house after they arrive. As they approach laying their first egg, nesting behaviour begins. During these three weeks, it is crucial to maintain clean, prepared nests filled with appropriate bedding. Initially, farmers typically place nests flat on the floor so hens can easily find a nest. Young hens often soil their nests before laying eggs. Regularly remove droppings from nests to encourage the hens to enter. 

Egg collection procedures

Establish a daily routine for team members. If the hens know what to expect and when, they’ll be less flighty. Egg collection must be prioritised above all other tasks, performing at least four complete collections daily. After feeding, the hens will begin laying eggs. Typically, three collections occur before midday, with a fourth collection in the late afternoon to ensure all nests are clean. As hens get older, they lay eggs later in the day, so collection times can be adjusted to align with peak laying periods. If there are more than three eggs in a nest, revise the egg collection schedule. 

Different farms employ various methods for egg grading, influenced by whether a bogey/trolley system is used. A table may be necessary at the house entrance for regrading or packing eggs into incubator trays. Ensure egg trays are not stacked on the litter, and do not place clean trays on the litter during collection. Be aware of the impact of radiant heat and house temperature from metal roof sheets. Do not store eggs in areas with low ceilings to prevent excessive heat exposure.

Proper training in the collection process and workflow is essential for staff efficiency. It will speed up the process. Untrained staff can slow down operations, caused by double work as a result of poor grading or damaged eggs.