chicken coop/ nesting boxes please help!

[Citychick42]

I n about 5 days we r getting 5 blr wyandottes (so exited)! Our coop is about half done. My dad has tools so i think we can finish the coop but the nesting boxes will be a problem. For the coop we r using a very nice old cedar playhouse that is off the ground and has a swingset. Both r in concrete. Any tips on the coop would be very welcome! Mainly im here to ask where to get cheap ($30 or less) nesting boxes. We arent very good at making things fit together right when there that small! But we also need something that we could pick up at a pet \\store(not very likey ) or that can come in the mail as soon as possible. Thank you for any advice!

 

[TurkeyMountainChickens]

I've seen several good suggestions here on BYC. Some are: covered kitty litter boxes, plastic totes with a hole cut in the lid, 5 gallon buckets on their sides, dog houses, cat cubbies etc.

I'm sure you can find something that will work in the pet store!

 

[Citychick42]

Those sound good! thanks! Those will be good for the begining but i might want something more permanant.

 

[sunflowerenvy]

if you are going to have the nest boxes in side your coop than you could go to the dollar store and pick up plastic container like a 12x12 but u wont need them until around the chicken are around 16 weeks old

 

[gryeyes]

Really, covered cat litter boxes work REALLY well as nest boxes. They're easily cleaned, and if you get a broody hen, you can simply pick up the box by the handle on the top and move it to a safe place.

I cannot see any disadvantages to using them, other than possible loss of floor space. But if you put up a shelf and then put the litter boxes on that shelf, then it doesn't take up floor space. And most chickens really like 'em.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Cedar is very bad for chickens.

Kitty litter boxes or shallow storage boxes work fine. I've even seen round containers laid on their side (anchored somehow so they don't roll around with a chicken in it) Metal egg crate boxes would be great nests too if you have access to those.

 

[darkmatter]

I built mine out of scrap plywood, an eight box cluster mounted to the wall with small "egg doors" in the back to reach in from outside for the eggs. I cut a 4"X4" section out and fastened a 6"X6" outer door to the 4x4, hinged with a strip of inner tube rubber over the top/hinge to prevent rainwater entrance---been working for over 15 years. Inside I fashioned planks hinged to close the nest boxes to prevent juveniles from roosting in the boxes and pooping up a mess. ( I only need to close them up at night for a week during that critical time the juveniles are learning to sleep on a roost and not the floor)

You can check my BYC page for pics of the whole coop/run.

 

[Citychick42]

Quote:
I have done research and people say that cedar is bad for chickens but this cedar has been weathered for about 11 years and they said that weathered cedar is ok. Thanks for the concern!

I will try kitty litter boxes. Thanks!

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Weathered cedar should be okay as it has long since 'off gassed' the stuff that is bad for chickens.

 

[Citychick42]

Quote:
Our coop (playhouse) is large but my only concerns with the covered cat litter boxes is that you have to reach in the box to get the eggs (dont really want to come out holding onto a chickens rear) and the floor space.Wont the chickens also hop ontop of the litter boxes? ive heard of chickens that do that. Thanks!