New rollout nest design Picture heavy-edited 1/21

Many of you have gotten my plans for a 2 unit rollout nest box and I have talked with several others about how to modify the plan to make it even larger. I have been using a box that has 6 nests and for the past year it has worked beautifully. Recently I have noticed several birds trying to pull eggs back inside their nest and even though it's hard to believe that they can reach under the partition to get the eggs, several birds have managed it and have turned into egg eaters. After much thought I have redesigned the nest box so that the eggs travel much further and hopefully this will eliminate their ability to get their head and neck far enough under the partition to reach the eggs.

The nest box shell view from chickens entrance side with partitions installed



Nest box shell view from access side



Egg ramp platform slotted to fit around partitions



Wedges to hold egg ramp 3 1/2" high



Egg ramp installed



Nestpads installed requires 2 per nest



View from nest to access area showing bumper (1/2" foam pipe cover split)



View showing bumper



Access side with back partitions installed with 2 1/4 gap above ramp



Nest entrance view with front installed edges of plywood trimmed



Where the previous design has a 12" ramp and the eggs were close to the partition sitting in a 4" tray section, the new ramp is 24" and the eggs wind up sitting 10" from the back partition. I've added a curtain to further discourage the birds from reaching under back partition. The curtain is made from rubber that I've slit.





Material list

2 sides - 3/4x24x36 2 bottoms - 3/4x24x36 1 top - 3/4x24x37 ½ Note: these pieces can be cut form one sheet of plywood
4 partitions - 3/4x14x17 ½ 2 ramp platforms - 1/4x24x36
12 ramp wedges - 3/4x3 1/2x24 cut tapering to 0
2 back stops - 3/4x3 1/2x37 ½ 1 bottom nest front - 3/4x5 ½ x37 1/2
1 top nest front - 3/4x7 1/4x37 ½ 2 back partitions - 1/4x14x36
2 trim board for edge of ply at top - 3/4x1 1/2x37 1/2
10? ¾ x ¾ use to cap plywood between nest fronts and access side back stops
3? ½ foam pipe insulation cut in half for bumpers
2 pieces of 4? rubber for curtain trap rubber between 2 pieces of 3/8x3/4x36 stapled together

Looks great Opa!

Very nice!!

Very nice; that might be the perfect size for our coop. Thanks for taking the time to document it!

Is that floor sloped 3-1/2" across 24" ?

Can you recommend a place to get/order those nest pads?

The egg ramp slopes from 3 1/2 inches to 0 in 24". The best price on the nest pads is from Cutler Supply $2.10 each http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/in...ducts_id=682&zenid=02oppf917ncddn5vtpqd46bol0

Okay, this is SO SO cool! Now, does that back panel come off to be able to clean out the nest boxes if needed?

Quote:
Just remove the four screws.

This is what I need to modify my existing nesting box to do. question on the nest pads. how well do the eggs roll? it looks like it would get stuck... but I guess not.

The eggs roll quite well on the nest pad. They are very easy to clean. I ust take then out and hit against something solid. Occasionally if they are fouled very bad they are very easy to wash. If you look at the pad you will see that they are directional. Install with ends pointing towards bottom of ramp.

That is really awesome!!! Okay I have one question: Is this attached to the coop on the wall or is it just freestanding. I am just getting confused befause once the hens access the nest, I know the eggs roll out the back. Once they roll, how do you get them? Is the nest easily accessible?

Thanks!