Better? Access to eggs from outside or walk in coop?

[ChickenLove123]

Originally, I was going to go inside the coop to collect eggs, but after a couple days of tracking coop yuk around my patio (my coop is close to the house), I decided to add access doors to the nesting boxes so I could gather eggs from outside the coop.

 

[gale65]

You need some rubber boots.

 

[fireguy56]

Hi, as someone else said you will get pros and cons on both ways. I feel it's a matter of convenience. I opted for outside access to eggs for several reasons. Didn't want nest boxes portruding into usable space of floor area and collecting poop on top of them(unless you were to build angled roof over them) and if ya gonna do that, why not just let them stick out thru the wall? Anyway, on railny days I didn't want to have to go inside with wet feet and umbrella dripping everywhere on my shavings I am trying to keep dry. At night I can go out and lift the hatchs and check quickly for eggs with a small flashlight without disturbing the girls by going into the coop and turning on light. Plus I knew I would eventually have several roosts and poop trays, with ramps and ladders all on the same wall as my nest boxes, it is just so much easier for us to collect them from outside. Again, just my opinion. ck out my page to see what I am talking about. Good luck
Erik

 

[spotstealer]

Quote:
I also collect my eggs from the outside for many of the same reasons. My coop is smaller and I didn't want to lose the floor space. I still talk to my girls daily (actually multiple time throughout the day). I usually bring them treats and fresh water when i check for eggs, they come runnin'.

 

[ECBW]

My choice is outside. Don't have to look out for poop. In fact, I can service the flock without going into the coop or run.

 

[gale65]

Quote:
The reason we're leaving ours inside (but still with outside access) is because of the cold. It gets below zero in winter here sometimes and we thought they might have less chance of freezing before we get a chance to collect them if they're inside. Also the side of the coop where the nests will be is going to be right next to the walk door of the run and if they stick out they would be blocking it some.

 

[stone_family3]

Mine are on the inside, I like going in my coop and checking it out. That way if I see a problem I can fix it, I also have a pet rabbit living in my coop so I have to go in daily to feed her.

 

[Nicole01]

I'm really happy with our walk in coop. It's about 8-9ft tall and 12x4 for 8 hens. It's very easy to clean and maintain. I hear the girls after they lay their egg and I go out shortly after to retrieve the egg.

 

[Weiden Farm]

I like everything inside if you can build a coop that is big enough.

We have access to the eggs from outside the Pen area, but the Pen area is a section of an 11x13 chicken coop, where we have a small 5x5 section carved out for storage, a chair nest boxes and so on.

I like keeping everything in. You only need to worry about securing one door. During cold, Wet, Hot days, you can just go into the coop, close the door and do what you need to do and stay out of the weather.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Building mine on the outside- for a couple of reasons. One, so that I don't use up extra space inside the coop. Two, so I won't have to get dirty, plus figured in ease of use and speed of access, when all I plan on doing is making a quick check of the nests. I figure I can go into the coop too.. but how nice would it be to just check really quick without having to go in?

I have nearly an 8 foot long nest box that comes off the side of my coop, and it will have two doors that swing down. Still working on it!

I listened to everyone here before making this decision and it sounded like it wasn't much more trouble to have the best of both worlds. Just because you have access to your nest boxes from the outside does not mean you don't pet and love on your birds.