Exterior, 100%. There are lots of good instructions on this site if you search. I switched from interior with a flap door for easy access to exterior and so glad I did!
I like my vacations. I haven't yet invested in an automatic door, I rely on the security of the fully enclosed run while we're away. But, I want one that I can run on a timer with a battery backup so a power outage isn't a problem. To me, this is just another tool to help me relax while away...
I have an 11# version and same, ice cream bucket lid with a small hole cut for the hanging loop to pass through. I only bother using the lid when I have chicks in the mix as the feeder is indoors but it can be literally a life saver for the small ones.
I just wanted to add that the nest box entrances being close to the floor and the roosts being above that height will encourage them to sleep on the roosts instead of in the boxes. They want to lay in dark/confined places and sleep in high places (just not too high for comfort getting up/down)...
I started with 3.5" over 24" and then added 2" more at the top that drops over the first 12. Too lazy to do the math but the eggs are rolling every time now. I was worried they wouldn't like it if they could feel the slant in the floor so I was trying to keep it minimal but they don't seem...
How much slope did you end up with? The other thing I thought of is that the egg might be hanging up and then rolling after it gets pecked. I had to boost my angle more than I thought I would to ensure rolling every time.
They'll have everything dead in the run, even the things they won't eat. I mow part of the field and put in bags of meadow clippings. Even with mowed pieces, they can identify what they can eat and what they should avoid. It's pretty impressive, really, considering they are completely baffled by...
I was feeling optimistic enough to move the egg eater back in this afternoon. She wasn't welcomed but it wasn't too rough either. Fingers crossed she emulates the others and puts her egg where it can roll tomorrow!
I saw one trying to jump up through the center and failing so I added the other slat for safety reasons.
I added a booster to increase the roll angle for the first 12" since my grass material gets fluffed up as they scratch while settling in and an egg failed to roll at all from the plushness...
I got stuck trying to take the old ones out and needed to recruit help so they had the option of new or old all morning. There was only one egg in the old box. I saw her contemplating and she ended up cuddling under the bit of dangling curtain that hadn't been pulled down in the removal effort...
...out of reach, only out of sight. I went with a full 24" platform length and put the false wall at 12". They'd need to be willing to stick their head through the shredded rubber and quite a long way to reach an egg that settled in the center as expected. I *think* this will be enough to stop them.
I haven't moved the problem hen back in yet. I just installed this yesterday and will be finishing the tear out of the former box setup and the other rearranging needed today. Then, hopefully, she gets to be back with her flock. They've been getting supervised ranging time together and the...