Best Nest Boxes anyone?

[BastyPutt]

I was pressure washing our best nest boxes today, and thinking about how much I love them. However, I noticed today I had a a bit of a traffic jam and figure I should add another.

For those who know, they are crazy expensive. When I was searching on Amazon, I saw some knock offs with favorable, but sparse reviews and much cheaper.

Any experience with the knock offs - or even better, what about anyone who's built a DIY rollout box?

 

[Ursuline Chick]

I don't know if this will help but we use old milk crates, filled with hay. They are free, the hens seem to like them, however we have six crates and the hens will all decide one of the boxes. (not the same one, it changes from time to time) is the best of the bunch and will all try to lay in the same box.

 

[BastyPutt]

I don't know if this will help but we use old milk crates, filled with hay. They are free, the hens seem to like them, however we have six crates and the hens will all decide one of the boxes. (not the same one, it changes from time to time) is the best of the bunch and will all try to lay in the same box.

Isn't this hilarious!? You hear all kids of noises from coop, head over and find everyone fighting over the same box.

Usually 4 hens can lay in the best nest at once, and they don't seem to care about position in there. But we did leave the old boxes after we transitioned and we still have a few old timers who prefer the traditional boxes and do get into spats over them.

 

[Ridgerunner]

When I first read your post I thought you were looking at roll away nests only but now I'm not sure. These are old threads and a lot of the photos are no longer available, but many are. These are not about the "best" nest designs but just to show what some people have done. They clearly show there are no rules, you are just limited by your imagination.

Nest boxes
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/41108/show-us-your-nest-boxes-ingenous-design-post-it-here/220

Nest Boxes
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-your-creative-nesting-boxes/80#post_12395882

Opa’s Rollaway Nest Box
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=287684

 

[BastyPutt]

When I first read your post I thought you were looking at roll away nests only but now I'm not sure. These are old threads and a lot of the photos are no longer available, but many are. These are not about the "best" nest designs but just to show what some people have done. They clearly show there are no rules, you are just limited by your imagination.

Nest boxes
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/41108/show-us-your-nest-boxes-ingenous-design-post-it-here/220

Nest Boxes
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-your-creative-nesting-boxes/80#post_12395882

Opa’s Rollaway Nest Box
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=287684

Exactly what I was looking for, yes.

Thank you.

 

[Mr Spot]

I was pressure washing our best nest boxes today, and thinking about how much I love them. However, I noticed today I had a a bit of a traffic jam and figure I should add another.

For those who know, they are crazy expensive. When I was searching on Amazon, I saw some knock offs with favorable, but sparse reviews and much cheaper.

Any experience with the knock offs - or even better, what about anyone who's built a DIY rollout box?

I agree with Ursuline on the milk crates, I've been using them for at least 40 years and never had any problems. I do cut a 12 X 12 inch piece of quarter inch plywood to put in the bottom to keep the hay inside and another advantage is they are free from most grocery stores. : )

 

[BastyPutt]

I agree with Ursuline on the milk crates, I've been using them for at least 40 years and never had any problems. I do cut a 12 X 12 inch piece of quarter inch plywood to put in the bottom to keep the hay inside and another advantage is they are free from most grocery stores. : )

I would love to see your whole set up. There is no opinion or advice respect/want more than someone with old time experience.

Thank you.

 

[LTAY1946]

I have two Best 48" nest boxes and love them. Very clean eggs for the incubators/and a few sales to locals for eating eggs. They are supposed to take care of up to 45 hens. I had about 40 production type RIR's and some hens had to wait in line. I think 32 is about the comfort number for those. Pictures of mine would be the same as those shown on the Best website. There are several user photos posted on their website in addition to the factory photos.