Does Your Nesting Box Leak?

[2Old2Crow]

The reason I ask is, after studying picture after picture after picture of nesting boxes (Those that protrude on the out side of the coop) I hardly see anyone using weatherstripping.

I'm at that stage in building my coop where I have to build the nesting boxes. I want a flip up top, and even though the boxes are at the east end of the coop, they will still be exposed to southern weather. It's raining right now, and through Friday, and I have time to ponder this next step, but those birds ain't getting any smaller!!!

I can rebuild if I have to, but I'd prefer to build them strong and dry the first time around. Any thoughts would be appreciated, but they go in on Saturday. The wife is reclaiming her dusty garage!!

 

[SacCityChickens]

I thought about having exterior nest boxes, but I kept them inside for that reason.
I was going to add an outside nest box to my coop, but having them inside keeps them nice & dry.
The nest box is removable for easy cleaning
Good luck
SCC

 

[AtholCoop]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/small-coop-tutorial

About halfway down the page I detail my method for keeping exterior nestboxes weather tight. Haven't had one leak yet. Also it helps tremendously if you mount the nestbox to the eave side of the coop versus the gable end, as most of the rain water will fall in the middle of the roof panel on the nestbox, and won't even have a chance to penetrate at the hinges.

 

[FarmGirlLC]

Our coop has outside nesting boxes, they have never leaked before and our eggs have never froze. I have no clue about a flip-top ours opens on the sides.

Out sides



Top opens up



Bottom opens down




Inside

 

[Tweakster]

I luv it that 5 of the 6 nest boxes are occupied and the sixth has a bunch of eggs!

 

[2Old2Crow]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/small-coop-tutorial

About halfway down the page I detail my method for keeping exterior nestboxes weather tight. Haven't had one leak yet. Also it helps tremendously if you mount the nestbox to the eave side of the coop versus the gable end, as most of the rain water will fall in the middle of the roof panel on the nestbox, and won't even have a chance to penetrate at the hinges.

Thanx AC. I picked up a couple of pointers here that I think I can incorporate. Unfortunately the Nest boxes ARE at the gable end, and I'm 90% into my construction so change is out. However, that 45 cut and an overlap board just might be the trick. Thanx again.

PS. Did I mention how much I hate folks who are fortunate enuff to live in N. Idaho?????

 

[AtholCoop]

Gable end isn't a deal breaker, on my funky coops the nest box has to go on the gable end because of the twist in the side walls, they still don't leak.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/funky-chicken-coop

Have I mentioned how much I love living here?

 

[FarmGirlLC]

I luv it that 5 of the 6 nest boxes are occupied and the sixth has a bunch of eggs!

Thank you.