We needed an extra nest box for broody hens to raise chicks. I had this on my mind when I went to our closest Salvation Army store. I purchased this old octagon shaped side table for $15.
I removed the door on the left to make a doorway into the nest box but left the door on the right movable for better access. I then cleaned the table with non-toxic cleaner. My husband works near a Home Depot so after work one day my husband purchased a quart of BEHR Premium Plus Ultra Pure White Hi-Gloss Enamel Interior/Exterior Paint for me to use on the table (cost just a little over $15 with tax and have half left). This paint is the same paint I have used on two coops. The paint allows for easy clean-up and looks great.
After painting I added a 2 x 2 piece of wood to the bottom of the doorway to help hold nesting material in the next box. I stapled Velcro to the top of the door way and sewed a strip of Velcro to the top of each panel of fabric for curtains. This allows for privacy for the girls and I can pull the panels off and toss them in with the laundry when needed.
Our two broody girls had no problem going into the nest after I removed the eggs from another nest box the had been using and placed them in their new roomier broody nest box. Now they are in their own area and the other nest boxes are available for our other girls.
The broody nest box sits in a corner of our barn coop under the roost and poop tray to keep it clean. Our barn coop has a lot of ventilation, but little to no drafts and plenty of room. I plan to add a fenced in area around the nest box soon for when the chicks become adventurous. I will post updated pictures when I add the fence. Our first hatch is due on or before New Years day 2015.
I removed the door on the left to make a doorway into the nest box but left the door on the right movable for better access. I then cleaned the table with non-toxic cleaner. My husband works near a Home Depot so after work one day my husband purchased a quart of BEHR Premium Plus Ultra Pure White Hi-Gloss Enamel Interior/Exterior Paint for me to use on the table (cost just a little over $15 with tax and have half left). This paint is the same paint I have used on two coops. The paint allows for easy clean-up and looks great.
After painting I added a 2 x 2 piece of wood to the bottom of the doorway to help hold nesting material in the next box. I stapled Velcro to the top of the door way and sewed a strip of Velcro to the top of each panel of fabric for curtains. This allows for privacy for the girls and I can pull the panels off and toss them in with the laundry when needed.
Our two broody girls had no problem going into the nest after I removed the eggs from another nest box the had been using and placed them in their new roomier broody nest box. Now they are in their own area and the other nest boxes are available for our other girls.
The broody nest box sits in a corner of our barn coop under the roost and poop tray to keep it clean. Our barn coop has a lot of ventilation, but little to no drafts and plenty of room. I plan to add a fenced in area around the nest box soon for when the chicks become adventurous. I will post updated pictures when I add the fence. Our first hatch is due on or before New Years day 2015.
