Coop disappointment...nesting box help needed.

FluffyandGinger

In the Brooder
6 Years
Jul 2, 2013
46
1
41
Sydney, Australia
Hi All, I bought this particular coop and I'm not loving it....
400

I have had to make my own makeshift perch for my two girls, and now that they're 18 weeks old I'm wondering what to do re the lack of nesting box - needless to say I was so new and clueless about chickens when I bought it :(
I have currently a nappy box in the bedroom part, filled with sugar cane much - I'm not sure that they're laying yet but I'd love to hear what your solutions were if you had a coop without a nesting box - keeping in mind I'm not so handy as to build and attach a box, and I'm finding not much but a Chook fits through that door.
I'd love to buy a new massive coop but can't justify it, my girls do love this one and free range everyday in our massive backyard...
 
I bought 18 gallon plastic storage boxes from Target at $6 a unit. Cut an 11 inch by 8.5 inch hole in it (put a piece a paper on it and cut around it). Threw some pine shavings in there and the girls love it. Nice because it opens from the top and easy to clean.
 
I just built a VERY basic 12" cube box. Five panels each 12" x 12", nailed together. But take one of those five panels and cut about a third of it off. The 2/3 piece should be the TOP, and the 1/3 piece should be the FRONT. Nail together, viola. VERY simple.

Another option is a five-gallon bucket, like they use to hold large amounts of laundry soap or dish soap. I personally just toss it into their pen as-is without a lid. Others suggest getting a lid and cutting a hole in it for them.

Whatever you choose, get some cheap golf balls to use as fake "eggs" to show them WHERE to lay the eggs. Chickens want to lay eggs where they already see some. So the golf balls will help a lot.
 
Fantastic ideas - thank you! Love the idea of the plastic tubs and cutting a hole in it - I'll just have to find one big enough for the chooks, that can also fit through their little door ....
yippiechickie.gif
 
Quote:
I have one that is external. I call it a saddle bag style. There a lot of pictures on the coop thread. They mount to the outside and they have a door that lifts up so you can collect the eggs or clean the nest without going into the coop. The size should be about 12X12.
 
I tend to use cardboard boxes, usually 12 or 14" cubes, just cut a hole in one side and put straw/shavings in. Can put them on the floor with a brick in front to keep them from moving around, upon blocks etc, or build a frame to stick the boxes in if you want the nests off the ground. If they get dirty I just throw out the box and put in a new one.
 

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