another nesting box question

[shaggy]

i am still in the process of building my coop/roost/run

i want to have the nesting box jutting out from the side and the top of it on hinges so i can open it and access the eggs with ease.

i have seen it mentioned that the nesting box should be 18"x18"

can i build 1 large communal nesting box 18" tall and 36" wide ... or do i need dividers in there?

 

[TM Chickens]

Hens will like it better if there are dividers in the box. Otherwise they might lay on the floor.

 

[shaggy]

back to the drawing board .....

 

[TM Chickens]

You could build the communal box and then just tack up some plywood for dividers. Ours is like that.

 

[Marlinchaser]

18x18 sounds a little big, mine are 12x12 and can fit 4 hens at the same time.

 

[shaggy]

Quote:

great minds think alike ... same thing i was thinking of ... wasn't sure how i was going to make it work ... maybe use finishing nails since they won't bust up the plywood too much

Quote:
inches?

12 inches wide by 12 inches tall?

how deep?

 

[chickens3]

That is ture hens do like to have there know nesting boxs

 

[Marlinchaser]

Quote:

great minds think alike ... same thing i was thinking of ... wasn't sure how i was going to make it work ... maybe use finishing nails since they won't bust up the plywood too much

Quote:
inches?

12 inches wide by 12 inches tall?

how deep?

Actually 12 x 12 was just a sujestion, thinkning 12 inches deep too

Here is my actual nestbox, its only 10 1/2 deep, about 11 tall, and boxes vary in width from about 9 inches to 18 inches, the bottom right is the 9 inch one, and everyone seems to like it best. I have had 4 chickens cramed into that box, so it must be good. It has plenty of room for Australops, and Buff Orphingtons.

 

[kassy68]

'Wow.. I'm just getting ready to build my coop and boxes.. I would have never thought to go as small as 9" or do random sizes for them to pick their own comfort box.. I may have to do that.. I've got about 5 mths before I'll need them LOL

has anyone used milk crates (or are they too open)

has anyone tried the 5 gallon bucket turned on its side with the lid cut in half to hold bedding in..?? sound kinda neat, but really deep

I am planning on standard boxes that I can get from the other side so I don't have to walk into the coop everyday..

 

[Marlinchaser]

Mine are actually a set of cabinets, that open to the People side of the coop, so I dont have to go into the coop all the time, but I do anyway.