Best Nesting Box Location? Interior, hybrid or exterior in the run?

[Tulipmasteer]

I went ahead and built a 4x4 chicken coop for my 4 pullets, but haven't put a nesting box in yet because I wasn't sure if I wanted it hanging off the side, more flush, or completely exterior. The inside of the coop is 16 sqft and they have a 50 sqft run- which nesting box style would be best for them? I see pros and cons to all three.

1)Nesting box attached to exterior

-takes up no space inside the coop​

-can be a point of weakness​

-need to waterproof well​

-don't love the look​

​

2)Nesting box inside coop with exterior access door

-takes up interior space​

-looks nicer in my opinion​

-less points of weakness​

​

3)Exterior nesting box in run

-takes up run space, but not coop space​

-chickens are let out at 7, can't access nesting box until then​

-can buy some pretty nice nesting boxes of this style, wouldn't have to build anything (sick and tired of building)​

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Since your coop is only 16 sq ft and you're still in the construction phase, I would advise building exterior nests that you can access from outside the coop. Reason? Four hens x 4 sq ft needed per hen = 16 sq ft. You don't want to use up any of that precious interior space by filling it up with nests or your overcrowded hens could react by having behavioral problems like bullying, pecking, feather pulling or not allowing one or some of the hens in the coop or on the roost.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Your hens should be able to access the "exterior" nests from INSIDE the coop, and have access to them night and day. They should not sleep in them, but if one wants to lay an egg at, say 5 am, before you get up to let them out, she should certainly be able to do so. It means cutting an access opening into the side of the coop into the nest(s) but lots of folks do it that way. Then you open a flap or door from the outside to remove the eggs. Check out some of the coops for pics and plans in the coop section.

Edit: typos. Lots n lots of typos!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Not understanding the concern about "weakness." Put a couple of legs under it for support. Build a frame into the side of the coop, like a window frame, to join it to the coop.

 

[rosemarythyme]

As you don't have space for an interior nest box and can't let them out earlier than 7, then a nest box that hangs out the exterior is the way to go.

Alternatively get an auto door so they can leave the coop at the crack of dawn and then you could have a box outside the coop, but that also requires climate proofing... that might end up being a lot more work than simply attaching the nest boxes directly to the outside of the coop.

 

[McChooky]

I have a predator proof coop and run with nests in both (I don't lock my chickens up at night in the 'coop')Their favorite nest box is a big community nest with an entrance on both ends. (I can access it from outside) 2-3 big hens can easily lay in it at a time. Their 2nd favorite is a tote at the entrance to the run. My 'loners' prefer the smaller milk crate nest boxes lol

 

[perkolator]

I integrated two nest options in my coop. One set of 3 is inside the enclosed coop and basically never gets used, just like the coop since they prefer to sleep in the run ; the other set of 3 is underneath the coop floor accessible from the attached run just like their food and water is. Downstairs nesting area is the preferred location, perhaps because it’s more cave-like or likely it’s just more convenient as they don’t have to go upstairs first. Egg collection accessible from outside the whole setup is pretty important to me, as was making the boxes a slide-in unit for more configurations and for easier cleaning.

 

[texsuze]

Ditto the suggestion of an exterior nest box attached to your main coop. That is my setup; my nest box room (a compartment that holds two small plastic totes with cut-outs at the front end) is 'free floating' off the side of the coop, with a large hinged lid for me to collect eggs and remove the plastic totes for cleaning. No leaks in 14 years of use.

 

[McChooky]

I went ahead and built a 4x4 chicken coop for my 4 pullets, but haven't put a nesting box in yet because I wasn't sure if I wanted it hanging off the side, more flush, or completely exterior. The inside of the coop is 16 sqft and they have a 50 sqft run- which nesting box style would be best for them? I see pros and cons to all three.

1)Nesting box attached to exterior

-takes up no space inside the coop​

-can be a point of weakness​

-need to waterproof well​

-don't love the look​

​

2)Nesting box inside coop with exterior access door

-takes up interior space​

-looks nicer in my opinion​

-less points of weakness​

​

3)Exterior nesting box in run

-takes up run space, but not coop space​

-chickens are let out at 7, can't access nesting box until then​

-can buy some pretty nice nesting boxes of this style, wouldn't have to build anything (sick and tired of building)​

I 'attached' one large community nest to the side of my 4 x 4 raised coop .It has an entrance on both sides so the hens can access it from the coop.The exterior access door hinges open from the bottom with 2 hasps and secured with carabiners. My nest box takes up no space in the run or coop

 

[debid]

Exterior, 100%. There are lots of good instructions on this site if you search. I switched from interior with a flap door for easy access to exterior and so glad I did!