Cluster Cluck Nesting Box System: Setup and Daily Use Guide

Quick answer

Mount the Cluster Cluck Nesting Box System at a height your hens can reach easily, fill each compartment with clean nesting material, and collect eggs at the same time every morning. Keep the unit stable, dry, and slightly darkened so hens treat it as a safe laying spot rather than a perch.

Step-by-step setup and daily routine

1. Choose and prepare the location: Pick a dry, shaded spot inside the coop or run that is away from the roost and main walking path. Mount the box so the bottom edge sits roughly 18 to 24 inches above the floor for standard chickens, or lower for heavy breeds and ducks. Check that the surface is level and can hold the loaded weight. If the wall flexes or the box wobbles when you press on it, reinforce the mounting point before adding bedding.
2. Fasten the unit securely: Use appropriate screws or bolts for your wall material and drive them into studs or framing where possible. The Cluster Cluck system is roto-molded polyethylene, so avoid over-tightening fasteners, which can crack the mounting points. Add washers to spread the load. Push and pull the empty box firmly in several directions; any movement means you need a stronger fixing.
3. Add nesting material: Fill each compartment with 2 to 3 inches of clean, dry straw, pine shavings, or similar material. Shape a shallow bowl in the center to signal a nesting spot. Do not overfill; hens need to be able to see the entrance and step in easily. Avoid using hay, which is coarser and can poke eggs, and never use cedar shavings around laying hens.
4. Introduce hens to the box: Place a fake egg or a golf ball in each compartment and lead a few hens to the box in the late afternoon when they are calm. You can also leave a hen inside briefly with the door open so she inspects it. Repeat for two or three days. If hens ignore the box after three days, check for drafts, bright light, or a nearby rooster or predator that is making them nervous.
5. Set a daily collection routine: Collect eggs at the same time each morning, before hens lay again, and again in late afternoon during hot weather. Remove any cracked or dirty eggs immediately and replace soiled bedding. Keep a small basket or bucket by the coop door so collection is one smooth motion. A consistent collection time reduces egg eating and breakage because eggs are not left sitting in the box for hours.
6. Clean and inspect weekly: Once a week, empty the bedding, wipe the polyethylene surfaces with a mild soap and water solution, and let them dry fully before refilling. Check fasteners for looseness and look for sharp edges or cracks. Replace bedding more often in humid or rainy weather. Never use harsh chemicals or bleach solutions that can leave residue on surfaces hens contact.

Product facts

• Cluster Cluck Nesting Box System: Made in the USA from heavy-duty roto-molded polyethylene, designed as a long-lasting alternative to wooden or metal nesting boxes. It resists rot and moisture better than wood, so you spend less time replacing soggy boxes and more time collecting eggs.