External Nesting Boxes?

[kimmypie]

You know the ones that bump out from the side of the coop? Are they good, bad, indifferent? I thought I remember reading a post and someone was questioning them but I don't know why. We hope to get chicks in the spring so I'm gathering all of my information now so when the time comes I will have (hopefully) thought of most everything that will need to be in the coop. I know more will come up as we build, but still.

 

[DanEP]

My first coop has them and I like them. It make gathering eggs easier and leaves more room in the coop for smaller coops. Just make sure they can be secured against preditors and rain. I know it sure makes gathering eggs easier and also can keep escape artist in the run and allows small kids to gather eggs without bothering the girls or being around a rooster. My 4 year old grandson keeps a step stool next to the coop so that he can reach the nestboxes. Ben is one of those kids that is always in high gear which tends to make the roo a little nervous so external nestboxes makes everybody happy.

 

[Patricia Jane]

I have them and think they are great. As DanEP stated, make sure they are peditor proof and rain proof. My coop roof hangs overthe nest boxes and I have a pad lock that is locked at night. Good luck and have fun. They are a great joy. Oh and

. A lot of wonderful people with some excellent advise and experience that can help you on any topic.

 

[gale65]

I like ours. It doesn't take away from any of the floor space. It was easy to build and it's easy to get the eggs. We put lots of caulking where the roof and wall meet (ours opens from the back) and can add more if it leaks.