Are milk crates big enough...?

[belibutn]

for Buff Orpingtons to use as nesting boxes? Ya know, the generic old 16 quart ones that I have a ton of around here? Like this, only brown:

i suppose they are about 12x12x12 in dimension.

 

[chickflick]

Yep, lots of people on here use them. Recycle!

 

[EllyMae]

soooo, do you just turn it on it's side and fill it with nesting material? like hay/straw or shavings? just curious because I need to add another nest box and that would be great to use one of those.

 

[chickflick]

Guess it all depends on how you are going to mount them. On it's side, you'll have to have something to hold the hay and eggs in. So maybe on a shelf with a board mounted across the bottom front. If you just put them right side up, just fill it with some with hay and I'm sure the chickens will figure it out. They're not too fussy. Just make sure the chickens can jump in ok.

 

[justinszoo]

We built a stand to put them on. Layed them on their sides with a 2x4 attached across the front, so the eggs & straw don't fall out. All of our chickens love them.

 

[Matt A NC]

I use the 12" crates in most of the houses. Even my Huge standard cochins prefer them to the 14" box I made them.

That is a standard buff orpington with a bantam cochin trying to sqeeze down under her. It was winter and she wanted a prewarmed nest.

As you can see in the pic it is mounted simply by putting 2 screws through the top into the wall. Can't get easier. This crate is at least 8 years old and got a little brittle. When I moved it to the new house I overtightened the screws and cracked it.

Matt

 

[EllyMae]

ok, thanks for the idea

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

My welsummers hated them but they like our new 12/12/14 wood boxes we made

 

[Chickenmagnet]

My ladies refuse to use them.