Exterior access to interior nest boxes: access door question

[debid]

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I can imagine my troublemaker doing exactly that. However, I'm using 5" deep plastic storage bins in the nest boxes so she would need to squeeze through a 5" space between the top of the bin and the door frame. I think I'd be faster. We got the idea for a skinny access door from an Amish-built coop we saw at a farm store. I wanted to be able to easily remove the bins for cleaning, though, or to transfer a "broody in a box". 10" allowed the best of both scenarios.

 

[debid]

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Borrow a 2YO from someone. If he can open it, so can a raccoon.

My slide lock requires turning, lifting, and turning again so it stays open. If they manage that, it has a couple of holes so a carabiner or even a padlock can be added. I'm not taking any chances!

 

[desertmarcy]

My new poultry area has a central hallway with pens going out on either side. The nest boxes would open into the hallway, which has a chain link gate doorway, so no big predator can get inside. So I don't need to worry about predators getting into the nest boxes from the outside. In fact, now that I think about it, if a hen hopped out, she would only have a long hallway and nowhere else to go

I just want the nest box doors to be simple to put together, give me hands-free (don't want to have to hold a door open) so I can have an egg basket in one hand and another hand to collect eggs, and not get in the way, that is, if it folds down to make a shelf instead of folding all the way 180 degrees, it shouldn't be so deep that I'd have trouble reaching over and in to the nests. A friend suggested cutting round portholes and then putting another, slightly larger, round piece of wood that could swing from side to side for egg access. Anybody ever tried that or seen a design for that? Cutting round holes is more tedious and cutting round covers is also, and not as material efficient, so I'm not sure about that idea.

 

[bryan99705]

I like the drop down, that way I have both hands free to gather and hold the basket, plus I don't have to bend over to see in

Never had one hop the wrong way, usually too busy cussing me for disturbing them. Plus with a drop down, I can see if the box is occupied before allowing enough room for them to hop out.

A screen door spring tpye hinge tightened up will automatically close even a hinge down door if it slips and make it challenging for any coon. A good latch helps too

 

[debid]

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Roundish doors would be cute but you're right about the material inefficiency. It would also be a pain to hold it open if it were attached at the top and a challenge to make it close securely if attached at the bottom. Instead, I'd put an egg motif on a rectangular door. Either something cute done in paint directly on the door or using wooden egg shapes from the craft store.

 

[LilRedmamma]

Thanks for the pics and ideas. Does anybody have hens try to hop out when you open the nest box door? Especially on the designs where the door is wide and exposes several boxes when it is open.

No hens ever have tried to 'escape' but one would screech at me as if to say, "hey privacy please?!", and one coo'd at me.