External nesting boxes

[bluebutterfly]

I remember as a child that my grandad had a coop in the middle of a huge chicken yard where his chickens would go in each night and he just had roosts in there. On the outside of this coop on three sides, if I remember correctly, he had about five nest boxes on each side about 4 feet (?) off the ground and situated under the eave of the coop. I was thinking of doing something similar since my coop is smaller than the average duck. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

 

[GC-Raptor]

Roosts should be higher than nest box floor. Chickens like to roost high and may sleep and poop in nests if they are higher. My new coop. . Nests on right are lower than roosts. GC

 

[Well Seasoned]

Outside nesting boxes keep egg collecting simple, gathering from the outside. Yea, sometimes we'll find the eggs under the coop, on the ramp, e.t.c.



Roosting bars higher than the nesting boxes

Nesting box area, still under construction in this pic

Separation walls, hay added

A view from outside......

 

[rosemarythyme]

I've seen them completely external (haven't seen anyone post examples lately though) but I imagine the main thing you need to think about with external boxes is how to keep them dry, so that the eggs aren't going to end up damp. Elevating them a little will help, so will a big overhang or curtains in front to help block rain/wind.

Another possible suggestion is to just provide a small dog house or two in the run, ones with a roof that lifts. It's not perfect but it's easy to set up at least and can be placed almost anywhere. I got by with one for a year or so.

Oh almost forgot... if you're going with completely external boxes and are not always rising at the break of dawn, you'll probably want to have a pop door timed/or on light sensor to open the door at daybreak, to allow hens to get to the boxes first thing in the morning if they need to.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I have completely external nest boxes. I built them from wood. One is 18x18x18 and is about 18" off the ground. The other is 12x12x12 and about 3 feet off the ground.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

This is it... it may actually be 20x20x20. I cant remember my measurements. It is external from the coops but inside my run screwed to the fence portion of my run.

 

[rosemarythyme]

This is it... it may actually be 20x20x20. I cant remember my measurements. It is external from the coops but inside my run screwed to the fence portion of my run.

View attachment 1590819 View attachment 1590818

That's super cute - do you have any issue with rain or snow getting in them, since it's attached to a fence?

 

[MotherOfChickens]

That's super cute - do you have any issue with rain or snow getting in them, since it's attached to a fence?

Thank you!

No... my run has the fencing on 2 sides and also has a tin roof.