Inexpensive nest box ideas!

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Dixiedoodle

Dixiedoodle

Songster
12 Years
Apr 14, 2007
2,147
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What's your most inexpensive nest box idea? My nephew was given 10 sex link hens. They are about 9 weeks old. I let him up them in an old chicken coop on our farm. He needs really inexpensive nesting ideas with pictures if at all possible. I know they are on this site but scattered around and I have looked and looked...So if you could post ideas/pictures I would greatly appreciate it..Thanks Dixie
 
Dixie, I don't have pics right now sorry. We took two 2 x4s leftover from building the coop and ran them the length of one wall of the coop. Using small scraps of wood as brackets we secured them to that wall 4 inches apart and side by side from each other.
We bought 4 plastic storage bins at walmart for $3 and change each. The boxes are 18" x 21". We mounted them to the 2 x 4s, spaced evenly apart using wood screws in the bottom of the boxes.
Oh wait, I do have a pic of one. I'll find and post it.

thormarch5.jpg
 
Last edited:
Hi Dixie, do you have cats or friends that buy litter in the pail
I got to use 4 of the Empty pails as nest boxes and sooo
easy to hose out to clean .
I drilled 2 holes in the back of the pails and put screws in the
walls of the coop use a ruler to get the screws even then just hook on ur empty pails as i did about 3 inches from the floor the pails have a 2inch lip the keeps the eggs from rolling out . hope this helps.
 
I'm using those plastic milk crates. I bought them for someone for a dollar a piece and I know I've seen them at garage sales too. I read online someone built expensive deluxe nesting boxes and their chickens preferred some old plastic milk crates they had laying around. I figured I would skip the expensive nesting boxes and just go for the milk crates.
tongue2.gif
Though in warning I don't actually have my chickens yet so I will have to update once I actually see them to use it.
fl.gif
 
I tryed the milk crates too many holes ???
maybe they wanted more privacy.LoL
and the ladies didnt use them, also every nook and cranny was hard do clean from the gunk..after a while of full use.
 
I'm sure that I've read on here about people using cardboard boxes! As long as they are in the coop, protected from the rain/excessive moisture they should work!

In my duck pen I use an old rectangular recycling box on its side (with a peice of wood in the front to prevent the ducks from kicking out the nesting material). I'm fostering 5 hens for my dad until he gets their coop built and I used a milk crate on its side on the coop floor(again with a piece of wood in the front to block them from kicking out the nesting material), they lay in there everyday!

I think if he wanted to use a scrap piece of plywood secured against the wall, lean-to style, that would work as well. Basically they will look for a place that is semi-dark and private. Lots of things will work!!
 
We also use 5 gallon buckets. We got ours free from my husband's work. The laundry at his facility uses 5 gallon buckets for their soap and fabric softener, etc.

The girls love them, the rounded top seems to inhibit roosting, and they're super easy to take out and clean.

Em
 
You can get free 5 gallon buckets from Sams in the flower dept. They will be black and in that area if they are available. Also go to the local supermarket where they decorate cakes, they have lots and will be free there also. Turned on their side will make a fine nest if you just put something over the front to keep the eggs from rolling out.
 

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