In principle there are three different basic lay-outs of nests in a breeder house.

When full litter houses are used, hand collected individual litter nests are often used. These nests are normally placed in blocks of approximately 10 nests wide and two nests high, with nests on both sides, so 40 nests per block. Normally two rows of blocks are used, with each block placed opposite the length of the house.

When partial slats are used, the blocks are placed 1/3 on the slat and 2/3 over the litter.

When mechanical nests are used, they must be placed in the longitudal direction of the house, to allow the egg belt to run through the nests.

When individual mechanical nests are used, the slat area is often divided in two sections, placed against both side walls of the house. On each slat section, a row of nest is placed, resulting in two lines of nests in the house, on top of slats, with a litter area in the middle of the house
This design is often used in hot climates with natural ventilated, open-sided houses. Because of the short distance between the nest and the open side of the house, the nests remain relatively cool.

When mechanical community nests are used, the nests are often placed in a single row in the middle of the house, on top of a slat section.
In moderate climates or in climate controlled houses with pad cooling and/or tunnel ventilation, this system is more often used