Building another coop. Old coop has rear access (four boxes) for egg gathering and I'm not sure I want the extra construction on my next one (10+ boxes). What say you?
Some people like to gather eggs without going into the coop. If you have a little bitty coop where there is no room to go inside it sure makes a lot of sense. Some people, for very legitimate reasons, like to gather eggs from outside the coop even if they have a big walk-in coop. To each their own. I have a walk-in coop and much prefer to go inside to gather eggs. I’ve found dead hens, snakes, and a possum once when I went inside. Other than the one snake I found in a nest, I could have easily missed all that if I had been outside the coop, at least for a little while. I built nests that I could gather eggs from outside the coop if I wanted to, but it’s just more convenient for me to open the door and step inside rather than fiddle with the locks on each of those nests. Build them whichever way you wish. There are good reasons for both ways and both ways can work.
Wife wants outside (guess who'll win that battle) and I want inside since I already go into the coop to feed, water, and check for eggs. Good point on inspecting.
I like the 'outside' gathering...tho my 'outside' gathering is still inside a large shed with a clear view of entire mesh walled coop. Outside gathering leaves options, you can gather from outside or go inside....... .....gathering from outside doesn't preclude going inside to check the condition of coop and birds, that should be done daily anyway. Ditto on the 10 nests for 50 birds...1 nest for every 4-5 birds is plenty.