Can a nesting box be mounted outside with an external entrance?

[bayareapilot]

I've read a number of articles about nesting boxes that have outside access, in fact two of my coops have that setup.

I was wondering though about a nesting box that is accessed by the hen, from outside the coop work or would it just be too well lit and not be used?

 

[R2elk]

I've read a number of articles about nesting boxes that have outside access, in fact two of my coops have that setup.

I was wondering though about a nesting box that is accessed by the hen, from outside the coop work or would it just be too well lit and not be used?

A nest box with outside access for a chicken would be a wide open invitation to predators.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Main concerns for me would be weather protection (wind/rain) and accessibility (would hens be able to get to them at crack of dawn, if they want to lay then?) I've seen some folks put outside boxes under generous roofed overhangs, which protects from weather.

 

[aart]

I was wondering though about a nesting box that is accessed by the hen, from outside the coop work or would it just be too well lit and not be used?

<scratcheshead> Why?

 

[neo71665]

My grandma had some mounted on the back of her feed shed, her birds free ranged.