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Nesting Boxes

post #1 of 6
8/14/12 at 1:02pm
Thread Starter 

I'm finally ready to gather up pallets to make my first coop. I'm planning on using concrete blocks to raise it off of the ground just a bit, but the floor will be dirt. I'm considering using eight pallets for the floor and walls four-pallets high. I'm thinking I'll need to get a couple of 2x4's to lay across the top to support the eight pallets for the roof, or I may just get some metal roofing. I'm hoping that by using pallets, the coop will be ventilated naturally. 

 

I cannot figure out how to make the nesting boxes. I thought about just going inside the coop to gather the eggs, but with so many nesting boxes outside of coops, I figure I need to ask first. Does going in the coop bother the chickens, or is it just a matter of convenience?

 

I live in SC and am considering putting straw bales outside of the coop in the winter to make it cozy, any suggestions? 

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post #2 of 6
8/14/12 at 4:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeridge View Post

I'm finally ready to gather up pallets to make my first coop. I'm planning on using concrete blocks to raise it off of the ground just a bit, but the floor will be dirt. I'm considering using eight pallets for the floor and walls four-pallets high. I'm thinking I'll need to get a couple of 2x4's to lay across the top to support the eight pallets for the roof, or I may just get some metal roofing. I'm hoping that by using pallets, the coop will be ventilated naturally. 

 

I cannot figure out how to make the nesting boxes. I thought about just going inside the coop to gather the eggs, but with so many nesting boxes outside of coops, I figure I need to ask first. Does going in the coop bother the chickens, or is it just a matter of convenience?

 

I live in SC and am considering putting straw bales outside of the coop in the winter to make it cozy, any suggestions? 

outside egg gathering is convenient, quicker, easier, and I think can result in less poop on the treads of your shoes.    I guess I remember in the olden days it was always go into the coop.  So it is just probably a matter of how you want to manage your chicken keeping. 

"Was dich nicht umwirft, macht dich starker"   "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."-Friedrich Nietzsche 
My new tag line...added to the end of every sentence--->  "...... after all, they ARE chickens!!!"

 

Here's a link to my BYC page:  http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chickats-page

Here's a link to my BYC blog of sorts http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/jottings

 

 

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"Was dich nicht umwirft, macht dich starker"   "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."-Friedrich Nietzsche 
My new tag line...added to the end of every sentence--->  "...... after all, they ARE chickens!!!"

 

Here's a link to my BYC page:  http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chickats-page

Here's a link to my BYC blog of sorts http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/jottings

 

 

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post #3 of 6
8/15/12 at 10:23pm

you could try using covered litter boxes/cat carriers. I've got tons of nesting boxes and the favorites seem to be the cat carriers, and the bottom of a dresser nesting box I have.

I've got 2 cats, Dyllen and Star. I have 17 chickens; 3 BLRW, 3 mutts, 2 EEs, 2 White Rock roosters, 1 RIR, 1 White Leghorn, 1 Red Star, 1 Golden Campine, 1 unknown hen, 1 Partridge cochin, and 1  Golden Polish. I also have 1 Swedish/Black Indian Runner laying on 8 eggs.

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I've got 2 cats, Dyllen and Star. I have 17 chickens; 3 BLRW, 3 mutts, 2 EEs, 2 White Rock roosters, 1 RIR, 1 White Leghorn, 1 Red Star, 1 Golden Campine, 1 unknown hen, 1 Partridge cochin, and 1  Golden Polish. I also have 1 Swedish/Black Indian Runner laying on 8 eggs.

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post #4 of 6
8/15/12 at 10:58pm

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Edited by Mehjr10 - 8/15/12 at 11:00pm
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post #5 of 6
8/15/12 at 10:59pm

Here is a link to my pallet coop and nest boxes/buckets, not the only solution here but it is working well.

 

http://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/image/view/album/6213265/id/5120203/sort/display_order

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post #6 of 6
8/16/12 at 1:16pm
For us it's convenience. The hens are almost always outside the coop anyway so going in wouldn't be a big deal. But being able to gather them from outside means I don't have to put my poopy chicken boots on and if the wind is blowing (like it usually is here) I don't have to worry about bedding blowing around and getting all over me when I open the coop door. I use excelsior mats in the nest boxes so there isn't a lot of swirling bedding (just what they drag in there).

My Chicken Blog
My NEW coop!
germophobic farmwife and mom to 3 homeschooled kids, 1 dog, 2 cats, 2 rabbits, and 12 chickens (4 red stars, 2 golden comets, 3 black australorps and 3 easter eggers)

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My Chicken Blog
My NEW coop!
germophobic farmwife and mom to 3 homeschooled kids, 1 dog, 2 cats, 2 rabbits, and 12 chickens (4 red stars, 2 golden comets, 3 black australorps and 3 easter eggers)

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