Should Nesting Boxes Be Dark?

Ensure that your nest boxes are in a dark, quiet corner of the coop. Hens have the instinct to lay their eggs in a safe place.

Do nesting boxes need light?

Dimly lit: place the nesting boxes out of direct sunlight, in as dark a part of the coop as you can find. Research has shown that limiting light in the nesting area reduces the risk of feather-pecking⁽¹⁾.

Should a chicken coop be light or dark?

As light decreases naturally, so do a chicken's egg-laying hormones. Commercial egg producers, and some backyard chicken keepers, add light to coops in dark winter months to keep their hens laying for as long as possible. Commercial units add light for more eggs.