12 in by 12 in cubical for nest boxes

[Australorpfamily]

We are thinking of using our cubicals, 12in by 12in (11.5x11.5x11.5)

Has anyone else every repurposed their cubbies?

Will update as we process!

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Yep I did this but the size is 15x15x13. I added a black laminate board to the back so that it's dark and they really like it. And of course a bar to hop up the top rows. I'm surprised that 12x12 looks big enough, but go for it!

 

[RoyalChick]

Great idea. I repurposed an old upper kitchen cabinet which is a bit shallow at 10.5” but they seem fine with it and have even managed to fit two broodies in at once.
I access eggs through the cabinet doors and they enter through holes cut in the back.
I put dish washing bowls in to keep bedding in place and because for a while I had a no shell layer and the egg made a mess when it broke.
You can sort of see how it works here.

 

[Australorpfamily]

Hubby brought in our biggest girl to see if they might work...

Yes, they would have a small board to keep eggs/padding in as well as a standing bar lol

 

[Acre4Me]

Chickens stand to lay their egg. The size will be fine for many chicken breeds, but might be a bit small for the largest breeds. No reason not to try it.

The laminate covering might get scratched up/ pecked off. Likely particle board, so keep it dry away from blowing rain or leaky waterer.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'll link some really old threads that show some of the things people have used for nests, just in case you are bored.

Nest boxes
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/41108/show-us-your-nest-boxes-ingenous-design-post-it-here/220

Nest Boxes
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-your-creative-nesting-boxes/80#post_12395882

Has anyone else every repurposed their cubbies?

People have repurposed all kinds of things to use as nests. You might find a kitchen sink in that long thread. You are carrying on a BYC tradition repurposing those.

I'd put a 3" to 4" board across the bottom to hold the bedding and eggs in. From what I saw growing up on the farm they don't need a really big opening to get on there. Even your big Brahma should be able to get in there.

 

[Australorpfamily]

Thanks! Yes we already had the idea of "boxing" them in so stuff stays on as well as a walking board. Yes we know they are particle board and will get tore up and may not last long, but where they are going is enclosed and away from rain, if we have to adjust down the road we adjust. *We had already been in process of adding more boxes but I purged inside the house and had these leftover and they are about 8 or more years old as is so it works lol

Used left over boards for the walking boards and we have a leftover waterproof poly board(or whatever it's call) from our bathroom remodel and backed it and cut strips for the front.

We'll put it in tonight once they are in bed, on cinder blocks and I'll fix the last walking board and hope for the best lol

 

[Australorpfamily]

As of right now. I did move the feed pads, hay and egg over as well but forgot to take a pic. Kid stuck a brahma in and she was able to turn, stand and move around. May need to do a ladder, now sure yet. And we do have walking plank on bottom to add

Eta it is very sturdy, but hubby wanted to make sure with the bungee cords on the top. It didn't wiggle at all even before then lol

 

[Australorpfamily]

Fingers crossed

 

[Australorpfamily]

They are at least exploring them