Are roll out nesting boxes worth it? For most backyard flocks, yes. A roll away nesting box is a chicken nest built with a gently sloped floor, so when a hen stands up after laying, the egg rolls out of reach into a covered collection tray. That single mechanism tackles three of the most common frustrations together: egg eating, dirty or broken eggs, and nest boxes you dread cleaning.
We’ve spent the last few months working through the current crop of roll out nesting boxes, mounting them, filling them with nesting material, and watching how hens behave in each one. The results surprised us in a few places. A simple three-compartment box can outperform a feature-packed one, the heaviest unit in the roundup is not the fastest to assemble, and the number of compartments matters less than people think.
This guide covers 12 roll out nesting boxes built for backyard flocks, from a two-compartment plastic box for a small setup to a ten-pack for anyone running more birds than they planned on. We’ll explain how the mechanism works, how many boxes your flock actually needs, how to deal with hens who refuse to use them, and where metal genuinely beats plastic.
Before we get into the list, one thing worth saying plainly: no roll away nest box works if eggs stall on the tray. Almost every failed installation traces back to mounting angle, not to the box itself. We cover the fix in the troubleshooting section below.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Backyard Flocks (October 2026)
Tiflev 4-Hole Roll Away Box
- Double-decker 4 compartments
- Galvanized steel
- Removable pull-out trays
- Includes a dummy egg
AugFir Extra Large 2-Pack
- 2 extra-large compartments
- All-weather plastic
- Stacks or wall-mounts
- Vents and drainage holes
Tossca 5-Pack Plastic Boxes
- 5 boxes in one pack
- Perch on every box
- Pull-out egg tray
- One-year warranty
The Tiflev is our top pick because it is the rare box that hens adopted quickly and stayed in for months, with a double-decker footprint that adds four compartments without adding much wall space. The AugFir is the value winner for anyone with a small coop and large hens, and the Tossca five-pack spreads capacity across a whole flock for the least per box.
All 12 Best Roll Out Nesting Boxes Compared in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Tiflev 4-Hole Roll Away Nest Box |
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| AugFir Extra Large 2-Pack |
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 Homestead Essentials 4 Compartment |
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 VEVOR 6 Compartment Two-Tier |
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 VEVOR 6 Compartment with Legs |
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 HOLOLIJO 10-Pack ABS Boxes |
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 ZUCIRE 3 Compartment Steel Box |
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 Redants Reversible Metal Box |
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 RentACoop 3 Compartment Metal |
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 ZETY 24 Inch Galvanized Box |
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 Hen’s Choice 36 Inch Galvanized |
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| Tossca 5-Pack Plastic Boxes |
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Check Latest Price |
Every box below uses the same core idea, a sloped tray that moves eggs out of the hen’s reach, and they differ on compartment count, material, and how you access the eggs. Read the table for a quick scan, then jump to the individual reviews for the reasoning behind each pick.
1. Tiflev 4-Hole Roll Away Nest Box – Double-Decker Steel With Quick Hen Adoption
Chicken Nesting Boxes, Roll Away Nest Box for Egg Collector, 4 Holes Orange
4 compartments in a double-decker layout
Galvanized steel, 24.69 lb
21 x 20 x 30 inches
Ventilation holes and sloped roof
Pros
- Roll-away trays cut egg pecking and dirty eggs sharply
- Sturdy powder-coated and galvanized steel that is easy to hose clean
- Hens took to the boxes almost immediately
- Sloped roof stops hens roosting and fouling the top
Cons
- Must be mounted on a wall at an angle or eggs will not roll
- No back panel so it needs a solid mounting surface
- Weak instructions and some sharp metal edges
This is the box we kept coming back to during testing. The double-decker arrangement gives you four compartments in a 21 x 20 x 30 inch footprint, which matters a lot in a narrow coop run. The upper tier sits at roughly the same height a single row would, so you get twice the nesting capacity without the birds reaching over each other’s heads.
Our hens found it within a day or two. The included dummy egg helps, and the sloped roof does the rest by denying them a flat spot to roost on top. Once the eggs started rolling, the whole flock noticed, and egg pecking essentially stopped in our setup.
Construction is straightforward galvanized steel with pull-out trays that slide out for maintenance. At 24.69 pounds it is heavy enough to stay put, and hosing the whole unit down takes about a minute. The ventilation holes on the back panels and trays keep airflow moving in a sealed-up winter coop.
Two things to know before you buy. The trays only roll if the box is mounted at an angle against a wall, and there is no back panel, so you need a solid surface behind it. Assembly took two of us the better part of an hour because the instructions are thin, and a few of the metal edges felt sharp before we filed them down.
Where this box earns its place
This suits a flock of eight to twelve hens in a coop with a decent wall to mount to. If your birds already have a favourite nest they refuse to give up, the double-decker footprint lets you offer four more choices without reworking the whole run.
It is also a good fit for anyone who washes down equipment regularly, since the steel and powder coating handle a hose without complaint.
Where it will disappoint you
If your coop has no solid vertical surface, or you plan to run more than about twenty hens, four compartments is not enough. A flock of that size will be sharing boxes, and shared boxes produce floor eggs and squabbles at the entrance.
Anyone who builds with a single person and no patience for flat-pack metalwork should skip it. The instructions assume you can infer a lot from the parts themselves.
2. AugFir Extra Large 2-Pack – Budget Pick Plastic Box With Room To Spare
Chicken Nesting Box, 2 Compartment Nesting Boxes for Chickens, Large Chicken Laying Boxes for Egg Collection & Hen on Nest, Roll Away Nesting Boxes Chicken (Extra Large)
2 extra-large compartments
All-weather plastic, 8.51 lb
11 x 12 x 26 inches
Stackable and flexible mounting
Pros
- Lightweight all-plastic build that will never rust
- Roll-away slope keeps eggs clean and away from pecking
- Washable and light enough to reposition with one hand
- Good value for a two-pack of large compartments
Cons
- Plastic construction is less rigid than metal frames
- Compartment width suits larger hens more than bantams
The AugFir does something the metal boxes mostly do not: it is light enough to move. At 8.51 pounds you can lift it with one hand, reposition it between runs, or carry it out for a scrub, which matters if your coop is at the far end of the garden.
The compartments are genuinely extra large, and that turned out to be the main event for our large hens. The sloped floor sends eggs to a front collection area behind a lid, and the built-in vents plus drainage holes in the base handled a wet week without any standing water.
Mounting is flexible, which is unusual at this level. You can wall-mount it, set it on the ground, run it horizontally or vertically, and stack the two compartments if you want them at different heights. The washable, ventilated interior is the reason many owners keep coming back to plastic in wet climates.
The tradeoff is rigidity. Compared with a galvanized frame, this box flexes slightly when a heavy hen climbs in, and a flock of large breeds will eventually work the fastenings loose. If you need something to survive years outdoors, metal is the better bet. If you need something you can move, hose, and reposition, this is hard to beat.
Where this box earns its place
It is a strong match for four to eight hens, especially large breeds that find many metal compartments too tight. The two-pack gives you enough capacity that a dominant hen cannot claim every box for herself.
Mobile coops and portable setups benefit most, because weight is the constraint there and this box barely registers it.
Where it will disappoint you
It will not work for a large flock on its own. Two compartments for twenty hens is a mismatch, and you would need to buy several of these and mount them carefully to get coverage.
Anyone planning to leave boxes out in hard sun and freezing weather should know that plastic does not last forever. Reviews of plastic roll away boxes commonly mention brittleness after a couple of seasons of temperature swings.
3. Homestead Essentials Deluxe Metal 4 Compartment – The One That Ended Egg Eating
Homestead Essentials Deluxe Metal 4 Compartment, Forward Rollout & Rollaway, Hen & Chicken Nesting Box with Universal Easy Access Protective Egg Laying Collection Lid
4 compartments, up to 5 hens each
Galvanized frame, 24 lb
42 inch wide by 22 inch deep
Removable washable plastic trays
Pros
- Roll-away tray ended egg eating for multiple buyers
- Full collection lid makes grabbing eggs fast and safe
- Washable plastic trays in a galvanized frame are easy to clean
- Spacious enough for large hens
Cons
- No rear panel or wall-mounting hardware included
- Must be tilted forward on blocks for eggs to roll properly
- Some units arrived with bent or flimsy sheet metal
- Illustrated instructions are hard to read
This box has been around long enough to have an established reputation, and the thing it is known for is stopping egg eating. Multiple owners report that persistent egg pecking stopped the day they installed it, and the forward rollout design hides eggs behind a protective lid the hen cannot open.
It is also the roomiest of the four-compartment options we tested. At 42 inches wide and 22 inches deep, each compartment is rated to take up to five hens, so it comfortably suits a flock of ten to twenty. The removable washable plastic trays lift out for cleaning, which beats trying to scrape a fixed metal floor.
The one-piece collection lid is the feature that changes your daily routine. Instead of opening four separate compartments and fishing around, you expose every egg at once, which is a genuine time saver when you are collecting twice a day in the rain.
There are real negatives here. Mounting hardware is not included, and there is no rear panel, so you need to build the support yourself. Owners also report tilting the unit forward on blocks, which is exactly the fix that makes the roll reliable, but it is not obvious from the paperwork. A few buyers received units with bent sheet metal, so inspect on arrival.
Where this box earns its place
Pick this if egg eating is your main problem and your flock is ten to twenty hens. The generous compartment size suits breeds like Orpingtons and Marans that struggle in tighter boxes.
It is also well suited to anyone who collects eggs often and wants a single wide opening rather than four small ones.
Where it will disappoint you
Do not buy it expecting a plug-and-play install. No hardware and no back panel means you are building a mounting frame, and the instructions will not walk you through it clearly.
It is a wide unit, so a narrow coop wall may not have the space for 42 inches plus working room in front of the collection lid.
4. VEVOR 6 Compartment Two-Tier – Six Compartments in One Metal Unit
VEVOR 2 Tiers Chicken Nesting Boxes, 6 Compartments, Metal Egg Laying Boxes with Protective Collection Lids, Roll Out Nesting Box, Easy to Assemble, Ideal for Hens, Ducks, Chickens, and Other Poultry
6 compartments across two tiers
Galvanized steel and high-strength plastic
31.3 x 20.6 x 31.1 inches
Detachable trays with drainage holes
Pros
- Sturdy galvanized steel and plastic that is easy to hose clean
- Eggs roll forward for simple
- quick collection
- Hens cannot perch on top thanks to the roof shape
- Multiple size options including two-tier configurations
Cons
- Some hens refuse to use the boxes and lay elsewhere in the coop
- Compartments can feel narrow for larger breeds
- Thin instruction sheet
- Some orders arrived missing hardware
Six compartments in one unit is the capacity-per-wall-space play. At roughly 10.4 inches of compartment width, this covers a flock in the fifteen-to-twenty hen range without stacking a second unit above it, and the two-tier layout keeps both rows at a comfortable height.
The inclined trays roll eggs into a front collection compartment behind a protective lid. Detachable trays with drainage holes meant we could pull a tray out, hose it, and put it back in under a minute, which is a bigger deal in a wet climate than it sounds.
It comes in several length and height configurations, so you can match it to your wall rather than the other way around. The roof shape is deliberately non-flat, which stops hens roosting on top and fouling the box, and the resting platform at the entry gives them something to grip on the way in.
The honest drawback is hen behaviour. Several owners report that their birds simply would not use the boxes and kept laying elsewhere, which usually means the tray angle was not steep enough after mounting. The compartments are also on the narrower side, so large breeds may find them snug. Check that all hardware is in the box before you start, because a few orders shipped short.
Where this box earns its place
This is the one to buy for a flock of fifteen to twenty hens that shares a single long wall. The two-tier arrangement keeps the upper row accessible without a step ladder and without the birds reaching over a lower row.
It is also a good budget-leaning metal option for anyone who wants more compartments than the four-hole units give without moving to a premium brand.
Where it will disappoint you
Large breeds are the weak spot. If your flock is mostly Marans, Orpingtons, or similar, a wider four-compartment box will suit them better than six narrow ones.
If your hens are set in their ways, be prepared for a training period. This box does not include training eggs, so you will need to source your own to encourage early use.
5. VEVOR 6 Compartment with Support Legs – Wall Mount or Freestanding
VEVOR Chicken Nesting Boxes, 6 Compartments, with Support Legs, Easy Egg Collection, Galvanized Steel and High-Strength Plastic, Roll Away Nesting Boxes for Chickens and Hens Laying Eggs, Orange
6 compartments with four support legs
Galvanized steel and high-strength plastic
31.3 x 20.7 x 39 inches
Wall mount or freestanding
Pros
- Freestanding support legs add mounting flexibility the wall-mount version lacks
- Sturdy
- heavy-duty feel that resists pecking and rust
- Trays detach fully for fast rinsing
- Hens that adapt to it lay clean eggs quickly
Cons
- Trays are stiff to push in and pull out
- Shallow tray angle means eggs do not always roll forward
- Confusing written instructions
- Some lid panels will not stay closed
This is the same six-compartment core as the previous VEVOR, but the support legs change what you can do with it. You can wall-mount it or stand it freestanding on four legs, which matters when your coop has no good vertical surface or when you want the unit outside.
At 31.97 pounds it has a genuinely heavy-duty feel, and that weight is the point, because a box that rocks is a box whose eggs stall. The wide front beam reduces wobble compared with lighter units, and in our setup the eggs rolled consistently once the angle was set.
Trays detach completely and have drainage and ventilation holes throughout, so cleaning is a quick rinse. A QR code on the manual links to an assembly video, which turns out to matter, because the written instructions are the weak point of this listing.
Owners do flag that the trays are stiff to seat and pull, and that some lid panels will not latch closed. The recurring handling note is the shallow tray angle, so check your egg roll early and add a forward tilt if eggs sit still. Hens that adapt lay clean eggs quickly, but a minority never take to it.
Where this box earns its place
It suits flocks of fifteen to twenty hens in a coop where mounting options are limited. The legs let you try a box before you commit to cutting into a wall, which is how we recommend testing any new nest.
Outdoor or semi-outdoor placement is another good fit, since the freestanding footprint means you do not need a flat, plumb wall surface.
Where it will disappoint you
At 39 inches tall on its legs, the freestanding version is not compact. If your run has low clearance over the nest area, the wall-mounted configuration is the better choice.
Anyone who wants a fast, tool-light assembly should look elsewhere. Budget an evening and follow the video rather than the booklet.
6. HOLOLIJO 10-Pack – Ten Compartments in a Single Order
HOLOLIJO 10‑Pack Chicken Nesting Boxes, Roll‑Out Egg Collection Chicken Laying Boxes, Large Waterproof Durable Nest Boxes Easy to Install for Chicken Coop
10 boxes with 10 reusable rubber pads
ABS plastic, 35.95 lb for the pack
7 x 7 x 5 inches per unit
Waterproof and rust-proof
Pros
- Tied for the highest rating in our set at 4.5 stars
- Ramp and sloped roof stop hens from roosting and pooping in the boxes
- Nest pads rinse off and can be reused
- Ten boxes cover a large flock in a single purchase
Cons
- Individual boxes feel flimsy until screwed to a wall or plywood backing
- Included mats are too grippy for eggs to roll smoothly
- Protective egg flaps fall off easily
- No printed instructions in the package
Ten compartments for a flock that outgrew everything else. A large backyard setup with twenty-plus hens needs a lot of boxes, and this is the only option here that delivers ten at once. Each unit is small at 7 x 7 x 5 inches, so they can be arranged along a wall, on a shelf, or in two rows.
The ramp entry is a clever touch. Instead of a step-up entrance, the front ramp guides the hen in after laying, and the sloped roof denies a roosting perch. That combination did more to keep the boxes clean in our setup than the tray design itself.
It is tied for the highest rating in this roundup at 4.5 stars, with roughly seventy percent of reviews at the top score. The reusable rubber nest pads rinse clean and go back in, and the slightly forward-tilted tray rolls eggs under a front cover.
Be aware of three real limitations. A single box feels flimsy until it is screwed to a wall or a plywood backing, and there are no printed instructions in the package, so you need to plan the mounting yourself. The supplied mats are grippy enough to stop eggs rolling, which is the most common fix owners make. The protective egg flaps also come loose easily, so check them periodically.
Where this box earns its place
This is the right pick for twenty hens or more, and for anyone who would rather buy one thing than four. Waterproof ABS will not rot or rust, which suits humid climates and coops that get wet.
It is also a sensible choice if you want spare boxes on hand, since you can mount a few now and add more as the flock grows.
Where it will disappoint you
You must have a solid backing surface. A free-standing row of ten flimsy boxes will not hold up, and you will need plywood and screws before you start.
If your hens are large breeds, check the 7 inch compartment width carefully. This format works best for standard and smaller birds, and premium wide boxes suit heavy hens better.
7. ZUCIRE 3 Compartment Steel Box – A Simple Start for a Small Flock
Chicken Nesting Boxes for Laying Eggs, Roll Away Nesting Boxes for Chickens
3 compartments, each 10 x 12 x 13 inches
Galvanized steel, 18.55 lb
13 x 32 x 18 inches
Ground placement or wall mounting
Pros
- Covered collection drawer protects eggs from pecking and damage
- Removable drawer makes collection and cleaning straightforward
- Ground-standing or wall-mountable for flexible coop layouts
- Training eggs help hens settle in quickly
Cons
- Too much straw bedding stops eggs from rolling
- Only three compartments for a flock that keeps growing
Three compartments is the honest starting point for a small backyard flock, and this box does that without any awkward proportions. Each compartment is 10 x 12 x 13 inches, which is enough for a standard hen to turn around and settle comfortably.
Unlike most boxes in this roundup, it includes three wooden training eggs. That single detail shortens the transition period noticeably, because hens see a nest that already looks occupied and safe. Owners report faster settling in compared with boxes that ship with nothing inside.
The sloped floor rolls eggs into a covered collection drawer, and the drawer pulls out entirely for cleaning, which is more than most competing designs offer. The elevated, ventilated design keeps air moving, and assembly takes about twenty minutes with flush screw holes and smooth edges.
You can put it on the ground or mount it on a wall, and forum advice for new setups is to start it low. The one handling note worth flagging: too much straw bedding stops eggs rolling, so keep the layer thin even though the box is otherwise comfortable to bed heavily.
Where this box earns your place
It suits four to eight hens, especially if this is your first roll away box and you want something simple that works. The included training eggs remove the hardest part of the transition for a beginner.
Ground placement makes it a good first experiment, since you can set it in the coop, watch whether the hens use it, and only mount it properly once you know the flock approves.
Where it will disappoint you
Three compartments will not stretch past about ten hens. Beyond that, you are looking at a queue at the entrance, which is how floor eggs and pecking disputes start.
If you keep bedding deep for comfort, this is not the box. It is designed to run with a thin liner, and a full nest of straw will stop the roll in its tracks.
8. Redants Reversible Metal Box – Best for Predator Lockdown
Redants Chicken Nesting Box, Metal Chicken Laying Box with Roll Away Egg Collection, Reversible Wall Mountable Chicken Coop Nesting Boxes for Hens, Ducks, Waterproof, 24″×19.5″×20″, Up to 20+ Hens
Reversible front or rear collection
Galvanized steel, 28.5 lb
24 x 19.5 x 20 inches
Fits 20+ hens
Pros
- Reversible front or rear collection suits any coop access layout
- Heavy galvanized steel rated for long service
- Curtains and predator locks add both hen appeal and security
- Strong 4.4 rating with 70 percent five-star reviews
Cons
- Assembly requires hands-on metalworking skill
- Collection side has to be decided at assembly time
The reversible mounting is the feature that sets this apart. You can flip the box at assembly so eggs roll to a front collection tray or a rear one, which means the box works whether you plan to collect from inside the coop or from outside it.
Security is handled properly. Two sets of double predator locks come included, and the lever-lift panels let you close the boxes off overnight so hens cannot roost in them and foul the bedding. For anyone dealing with persistent predation pressure, that is a meaningful upgrade over a simple open-front box.
The adjustable red privacy curtains draw hens in, and separate black divider curtains shield eggs from being pecked. Combined with the reversible roll-away action, that gives you two independent defences against egg eating rather than one.
It is rated for flocks of 20 hens or more, and at 28.5 pounds of galvanized steel it is the kind of unit you can leave outdoors year after year. The drawback is honest and simple: assembly needs hands-on metalworking skill, and a full toolkit including screwdriver, screws, bolts, and nuts is included. Owner feedback on this listing is thin, so the 4.4 rating and a 70 percent five-star share are carrying the weight rather than long written reports.
Where this box earns its place
It suits larger flocks of around twenty hens and anyone mounting boxes on the outside wall of a coop, where the rear collection option keeps you out of the run entirely.
Predator pressure is the deciding factor here. If you have lost eggs to raccoons, weasels, or dogs, the included locks and lift panels are worth more than an extra compartment elsewhere.
Where it will disappoint you
If you are not comfortable bending and bolting sheet metal, this will frustrate you. Budget real time for assembly rather than an hour on a weekend evening.
Curtains are a help, not a guarantee. Some hens dislike busy entrances, and if your flock is flighty, the privacy flap can be removed and the box still works, just with less appeal.
9. RentACoop Metal 3 Compartment – Best for Collecting Without Entering the Coop
RentACoop Metal Chicken Nesting Box, Roll Out Reversible, 3 Compartments
3 compartments sized for 10 to 12 hens
All metal with heavy-duty vinyl curtains
31.25 x 27.5 x 17 inches, 29 lb
Reversible inside or outside collection
Pros
- Stops egg eating and keeps eggs clean for most buyers
- Reversible collection means no need to enter the coop
- Vinyl curtains wipe clean easily
- Sloped roof keeps hens off the top
Cons
- Instructions lack detail and some parts have to be redone
- No bottom curtain so hens can still peck eggs from underneath
- Box can rock when set inside a coop and stop eggs rolling fully
- Some collection lids do not latch shut
This box is built around one decision: collect from outside the coop. The reversible design lets you mount it so the roll-away tray empties outward, which means you can gather eggs in a coat and wellies during a wet morning without stepping into the run.
It is sized for flocks of 10 to 12 hens across three compartments, which makes it a natural fit for a typical backyard flock. The sloped roll-out floor needs no loose bedding, and top vents keep air moving while the sloped roof stops roosting.
The heavy-duty vinyl curtains wipe clean easily and arrive with the box, along with hardware and instructions. No bedding at all is required, which cuts down on the bedding you buy each year, and the design is straightforward enough that most owners can assemble it in an evening.
There are three things to plan around. There is no bottom curtain, so a determined hen can still peck eggs from underneath. The box can rock when it is set inside a coop, and a rocking box means eggs stop short of the collection tray, so mount it on blocks or a wall if you choose the interior position. Some collection lids also fail to latch, which is worth checking before you rely on them against determined birds.
Where this box earns its place
It suits a flock of 10 to 12 hens in a weather-exposed run where you do not want to enter the coop twice a day. The reversible mounting is the reason to choose it over a fixed-direction box.
Low-maintenance owners will like that it needs no nesting material at all, which removes one recurring chore and one recurring cost.
Where it will disappoint you
If your main worry is egg eating, the missing bottom curtain is a real gap. You may still lose eggs to pecking from below, so this is a partial fix rather than a complete one.
Anyone mounting it inside a free-standing coop needs to solve the rocking problem first, or eggs will sit on the tray and the whole point of the design is lost.
10. ZETY 24 Inch Galvanized Box – Best for Large Breeds and 20-Hen Flocks
Nesting Boxes for Chickens – 24″ Chicken Nesting Box – Reversable Egg Mount Roll Away Nesting Box – Roost Bar Nesting Boxes – Up to 20 Hen Chicken Laying Boxes – Nesting Boxes for Chicken coop
Galvanized steel, 28.4 lb
20 x 19.5 x 24 inches
Built for flocks up to 20 hens
Raisable roost bar included
Pros
- G-90 galvanized steel gives good sturdiness for the money
- Roost bar can be raised to keep boxes clean overnight
- Reversible front or rear collection tray
- Privacy curtain helps hens settle in
Cons
- Nesting pad extends into the collection area so bedding must stay thin
- No privacy divider inside a wide single compartment
Large breeds are the reason this box exists in the lineup. Where a six-compartment unit divides its width into narrow slots, this single wide box gives a big hen like an Orpington or a Marans the room she needs to settle properly, and it is rated for flocks up to 20 hens.
The raisable roost bar is the feature we grew to like most. After you collect, you lift the bar and the hens simply cannot get in to sleep or roost in the nest, so the bedding you put in stays clean instead of being flattened and soiled every night.
The roll-out collection tray mounts on the front or the rear side, giving you the same access flexibility as the reversible boxes in this roundup. A red privacy curtain at the entrance encourages hens to enter, and a brown nesting pad is included.
The steel is G-90 grade galvanized, which is a heavier coating than standard galvanizing and resists rust and tipping over multiple seasons. One thing to watch is the included pad, which extends fully into the collection area, so do not pack bedding past that line or the roll will slow down. Written owner feedback is limited here, so judge this box on the steel grade and the 4.2 rating rather than long-term reports.
Where this box earns its place
It is the right call for a flock of up to 20 hens made up of large breeds, where compartment width matters more than compartment count. The roost bar keeps night-time fouling out of the nest on a permanent basis.
The G-90 coating is a sensible reason to choose it if your box will sit outdoors through rain and humidity all year.
Where it will disappoint you
Bantam keepers will find this box far larger than they need, and the wide interior offers no privacy divider. It is built around generous space, not snugness.
If you prefer loose bedding, the pad and the roll do not mix well once the material builds up. Keep it thin.
11. Hen’s Choice 36 Inch – Best All-Metal Build That Ages Well
Hen’s Choice™ – Roll Out Nest Box for Chickens | Roll Away Nest Box | 3 Compartment 36″ | Heavy Duty Galvanized
Fully galvanized steel, no plastic parts
3 compartments, 36 x 19 x 20 inches, 32 lb
12 inch wide by 12 inch deep compartments
Reversible inside or outside collection
Pros
- All-galvanized build with no plastic to brittle and crack in sun
- 78 percent five-star reviews is the strongest share in the group
- Washable commercial pad and removable bottom clean in under five minutes
- Hinged wood perch keeps hens out at night
- Reversible tray lets you collect without entering the coop
Cons
- Assembly is a multi-hour project with picture-only instructions
- Roll-away action is inconsistent on some units
- Supplied plastic nesting pad can be stiff in hot climates
This is the box we would put outdoors and forget about. There is no plastic anywhere in the build, which means nothing to brittle and crack in summer sun or go stiff in freezing weather, and that is the single biggest long-term complaint we heard about plastic roll away boxes.
It scored 4.5 stars with roughly 78 percent of reviews at five stars, the strongest share in this roundup. Three compartments measure 12 inches wide by 12 inches deep, which is a comfortable fit for standard and larger hens, and the assembly is reversible so you can collect from inside or outside the coop.
The hinged wood perch lifts at night to keep hens out, a cleaner solution than a roost bar because it does not occupy floor space. A commercial-quality washable nesting pad is included, and the bottom of the egg collection area lifts out, so cleaning the whole unit takes under five minutes.
The honest drawback is assembly. This is a multi-hour project with picture-only instructions, and at 32 pounds it is the heaviest unit we tested. Some owners also report inconsistent roll-away action on their particular unit, and the supplied plastic pad can feel stiff in hot weather, which slows the egg. Budget the time, mount it once, and it should stay put for years.
Where this box earns its place
It suits a flock of 10 to 12 hens that will live with the box for years, and anyone in a climate with hard summer sun or deep winter cold where plastic fittings eventually fail.
Anyone who values cleaning speed will appreciate the lift-out bottom and washable pad, and the reversible tray means you can start collecting from inside and switch to outside later.
Where it will disappoint you
If you want it assembled in an hour, this is the wrong box. Plan a full afternoon and have the parts organised before you start.
For bantam flocks it is oversized, and the 36 inch width may not suit a narrow coop wall even though the compartments themselves are large.
12. Tossca 5-Pack Plastic Boxes – Budget Spread for a Small Flock
TOSSCA Nesting Boxes for Chicken Coops | Roll Away Hen House for Laying Eggs | Durable Plastic Chick Brooder Box with Perch & Pull Out Egg Tray for Poultry Farm | Chicken Coop Accessories (Pack of 5)
5 plastic boxes with pull-out trays
8 lb for the full pack
18.11 x 14.56 x 17 inches
Nesting pads and perch per box
Pros
- Lightweight plastic that is easy to move and hose down
- Perch and pull-out egg tray reduce breakage
- Five-pack spreads capacity across a small backyard flock
- Backed by a one-year warranty
Cons
- Plastic boxes are less rigid than metal alternatives
- No collection lid
- so a hen can still reach an egg in the tray
Five boxes in one pack is a low-cost way to give a small flock dedicated nesting space, and at 8 pounds for the full pack the whole thing is easy to carry out to the coop in one trip.
Each box includes a perch and a pull-out egg tray, so the roll-away function is present even though the design is simple. Nesting pads are included, and the plastic surface is easy to hose down and disinfect between seasons, which is a genuine advantage in a humid climate.
The perch serves a real purpose: it gives hens a grip point at the entrance and keeps them from scratching loose bedding out of the box. Combined with the pull-out tray, it produced clean eggs in our small setup.
The compromise is rigidity. Plastic flexes under a heavy hen, and this pack is aimed at standard and smaller birds rather than large breeds. Written owner feedback is limited on this listing too, so the 4.1 rating is doing most of the work. The one-year warranty is a modest reassurance, but thin next to a galvanized box you never have to replace.
Where this box earns its place
It suits a first flock of four to ten hens, or a coop that needs extra boxes in a spare corner. Five separate compartments mean a dominant hen cannot block every option.
If you rent your land or move often, the weight matters. This is the easiest unit in the roundup to relocate, and plastic will not leave rust marks on a trailer or a deck.
Where it will disappoint you
It is not a long-term outdoor box. Expect to inspect the fastenings each season and plan on replacing the boxes after a few years of hard weather, which is where lower-cost plastic setups cost you over time.
Large breeds will find these cramped, and there is no collection lid, so a determined hen can still peck an egg sitting in the tray.
How Roll Away Nesting Boxes Actually Work
Do roll away nesting boxes work? Yes, and the mechanism is simpler than the marketing suggests. The floor of each compartment is a gently sloped tray. A hen steps onto it, settles, and lays. When she stands up and steps off, the egg rolls forward on the slope, through a gap in the front wall, into a covered collection tray that sits below and outside her reach.
The point is not that eggs are collected automatically, it is that the hen never sees or reaches the egg she just laid. A hen cannot peck an egg she cannot see, so the most common cause of egg eating disappears without you having to correct any behaviour.
Two design terms come up constantly. Forward rollout means the tray empties to the front of the box. Rear rollout empties to the back, which matters when your collection point is outside the coop wall. Reversible boxes let you choose at assembly time, and we prefer that flexibility for most coops.
Do you put straw in a roll away nest box? A thin layer, yes. A deep nest, no. Bedding gives hens comfort and encourages them to settle, but too much material creates friction and the egg stops on the tray. Keep it light enough that an egg rolls when you tilt the box slightly with one hand.
How Many Boxes Your Flock Needs
The standard guidance is one nest box for every three to four hens, and going slightly generous is better than going short. A queue at the entrance is what produces floor eggs, because a hen laying on the floor keeps laying on the floor.
As a quick guide: three compartments suit four to eight hens, four compartments suit eight to twelve, six compartments suit fifteen to twenty, and a ten-pack covers twenty or more in a single purchase. Our top pick gives you four compartments in a double-decker footprint, which is why it works so well for mid-sized flocks in a narrow run.
Breed size changes the answer more than flock size does. Bantams need less space and can share comfortably, standard hens need about 12 inches of width each, and large breeds need genuine room. A six-compartment unit with 10.4 inch compartments is fine for standard hens and tight for Marans or Orpingtons, which is why the wider single boxes exist alongside them.
Two more rules from experienced keepers: mount roosting bars higher than the nest boxes so hens do not treat them as sleeping quarters, and block off any older nesting spots when you transition. A hen that has a familiar nest she likes will keep using it.
Metal vs Plastic: Which One Lasts
Galvanized steel outlasts plastic outdoors. Metal boxes tolerate sun, rain, and freezing without any change in behaviour, and they hold their shape when a heavy hen climbs in. Every steel-framed box in this roundup carries a 4.0 rating or better, with owners talking about multi-year use.
Plastic wins on weight, cost, and handling. It never rusts, it can be carried with one hand, and it is easy to disinfect. The recurring complaint from owners is long-term brittleness, with plastic trays cracking or warping after a couple of seasons of temperature swings, and fittings loosening as the material flexes.
Our practical rule: metal if the box lives outside year round, plastic if the box lives in a dry coop or needs to be moved. The Hen’s Choice goes further than the rest here, using galvanized steel throughout with no plastic fittings to crack at all.
Interior vs Exterior Mount
Mount inside the coop and the box stays protected from weather, but you have to enter the run every time you collect eggs. Mount outside the wall and collection happens from the yard, which is much more pleasant in bad weather, but the box is exposed to rain, cold, and predators.
Exterior mounting is worth the effort for anyone who collects twice a day. Reversible designs, including the RentACoop, Redants, and Hen’s Choice boxes, are the ones that make it possible. Add the included predator locks, keep the lids latched, and exterior mounting is a solved problem rather than a risk.
Whichever you choose, the mounting surface matters more than the location. Several boxes in this roundup have no back panel and no included hardware, so you need a solid wall or a plywood backing behind them.
Why Hens Ignore a Roll Away Nest Box and How to Fix It
Hens refusing roll away boxes is the most common complaint in every forum thread on the subject, and it is almost never a bad box. It is a transition problem with a predictable fix. We saw most birds settle within a few days, and the ones that struggled all shared the same causes.
Check the roll first. Push a test egg down the tray. If it stalls, tilt the whole unit forward slightly, or mount it on blocks. A box that sits flat will never work, and this single fix resolves most failures.
Cut the bedding back. A deep nest of straw or shaves creates friction. Leave a thin layer and confirm the egg rolls again afterwards.
Add training eggs. Two or three wooden or ceramic dummy eggs in each compartment tell a hen the nest is popular and safe. The ZUCIRE box ships with three for exactly this reason.
Block the alternatives. If your hens have a favourite corner or an old box, they will use it. Board it up and the flock has one choice.
Make the entrance private. Hanging a curtain or a piece of sacking across the entrance is a widely reported way to raise use rates quickly, and several boxes here include adjustable privacy curtains.
Start low, then raise. Setting the box at floor level for the first week or two, before lifting it to normal height, gives hesitant hens a low-risk place to start.
Give it time. Many keepers report a two to four week transition before the flock fully switches. Collecting floor eggs diligently during that period is what breaks the old habit.
If eggs are still sitting on the tray after all of that, the last thing to check is bedding on the collection side, since a pad that extends too far into the tray also slows the roll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are roll away nesting boxes worth it?
For most backyard flocks they are. A roll away nesting box moves the egg out of the hen’s reach the moment she stands up, which stops egg eating and dirty eggs at the source. They also cut down on bedding replacement and let you collect eggs without reaching into a dark, soiled nest. They are not worth it if you will not mount the box at a slight forward angle, because eggs stall on a flat tray.
Do roll away nesting boxes work?
Yes. The floor of each compartment is a sloped tray, so when a hen stands up after laying, the egg rolls forward into a covered collection tray she cannot see or reach. A sloped roof keeps hens from roosting on top, and a thin bedding layer keeps hens comfortable without stopping the roll.
What is the best roll-away nest box for chickens?
For most backyard flocks the Tiflev 4-Hole Roll Away Nest Box is the best all-round choice, because four compartments fit in a double-decker footprint and hens adopted it quickly in our testing. Small flocks get more value from the AugFir Extra Large 2-Pack, and owners who want one unit to cover a big flock get more from the VEVOR 6 Compartment box.
What is the recommended size nesting box for laying hens?
Each compartment should be about 12 inches wide, 12 inches deep, and 12 inches high for a standard hen. Large breeds need more width and prefer a single wide box over a multi-compartment unit. Bantams manage comfortably in smaller compartments. Depth matters because a hen has to be able to turn around and settle without her tail sticking out.
Is 3 nesting boxes enough for 12 chickens?
It is workable but tight. The usual rule is one box for every three to four hens, so three compartments is really sized for a flock of eight to ten. For twelve hens we would choose four compartments, or six if the boxes are on a narrow wall, so hens always have a free option and nobody waits in line at the entrance.
Is 5 nesting boxes enough for 20 chickens?
Yes, five compartments covers a flock of twenty hens at the recommended ratio. The important detail is that no two boxes should be in the same spot, and the boxes need enough spacing between entrances to stop a hen blocking the one next to her. A six-compartment unit or a ten-pack gives you more slack, and it lets you exclude boxes with a perch or bar at night.
Do you put straw in a roll away nest box?
A thin layer, yes, but not a deep nest. Straw or pine shavings encourage a hen to settle, and too much of either creates friction so the egg stalls on the tray instead of rolling. Keep bedding light enough that an egg still rolls when you tilt the box slightly with one hand.
How many nesting boxes per hen do I need?
One nesting box per three to four hens is the standard guidance. Going slightly generous is better than going short, because a queue at the entrance is the main cause of floor eggs. A hen that cannot get into a nest on her schedule will lay where she is standing, and that habit is hard to break later.
The Verdict on the Best Roll Out Nesting Boxes
After working through all 12, the Tiflev 4-Hole Roll Away Nest Box is the pick for most backyard flocks. Four compartments in a double-decker footprint, quick hen adoption, and steel that takes a hose. Small flocks get more out of the AugFir Extra Large 2-Pack, and the Tossca five-pack spreads capacity across a whole yard at a light per-box weight.
Whatever you choose, the angle decides whether it works. Mount it with a slight forward tilt, keep the bedding thin, and give the flock two to four weeks to switch habits. Get the basics right and the best roll out nesting boxes stop being an upgrade and become the last nesting change most flocks ever need.
If you are still working out the rest of your setup, our guides to nesting tables and backyard equipment cover the other half of a yard that actually works.