External nest box

[Henn12]

Hey y’all, I’m a new chicken mama and am in the process of converting a shed into our coop. Here’s my question: should I build the external nest box with access to collect the eggs from the top or from the front?

 

[aart]

Front, back, side.....vertical rather than horizontal....
....easier to make sure top of nest is good and sealed.

 

[Eevee]

I built my nesting boxes with access from the front. I figured having a closed sealed top would help prevent any rain,water, or snow from entering the nesting box.

 

[gtaus]

Hey y’all, I’m a new chicken mama and am in the process of converting a shed into our coop. Here’s my question: should I build the external nest box with access to collect the eggs from the top or from the front?

Welcome to BYC forums

I think you also need to consider your location. Where I live in northern Minnesota, most people do not have external nest boxes due to heavy snowfall in the winter. I was advised to make my nest boxes internal to the coop. I do have an access panel to the back of the nest boxes on the outside wall. Supposedly, that is a good solution for 9 months out of the year for where I live. If the access panel becomes too drafty in the winter, I'll put plastic over the outside access panel and gather the eggs from inside the coop.

I have also read that it is less stressful for the hen if you access the nest boxes from the front or back. If a hen is sitting in the nest box, and you open the access from above, their instinct is to flee from a predator and that can cause more stress. I don't know if that is true, but I have opened my outside access panel to the back of the nest boxes and found a hen or two sitting in the nest box and they were not disturbed very much.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

I have a coop (okay 2 ) with top access boxes... and highly recommend against them.

I live in the Pacific Northwest and get a decent amount of rain.

When I open the lid to collect eggs or take a peak, water pours in off of it and into the coop bedding. I will be be converting them soon to back access.... drop down but not all the way to the floor.

Adding your general location to your profile can help peeps make the best suggestions possible at a glance.

 

[Henn12]

Thanks!! I’m in south Texas, mild winter (extremely hot summers) and not much rain. I did add my location to my profile. Sounds like gathering from the front is best.