Good or bad idea?

[hilari221]

We still have a few weeks until the chicks move out to the coop, so trying to make good choices while we still can. I was wondering if anyone has used nest boxes as a place to keep the food and water? We only have 4 chickens (2 red sex links hens and 2 silkies, gender unknown)and don't plan on any more than one more hen. No need for 4 nest boxes (see pic)....

We already have it primed and painted and was thinking of applying vinyl and caulking to the nest box where the water would go(don't know what type of water container we would use yet). Has anyone gone this route or have opinions either way??? Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[nab58]

My pullets moved into the coop last week. I have a folding stool, a plastic container of DE and some other misc. stuff in the nesting boxes for now. I'll remove it when it close to laying time. The stuff in there will get dusty. I wouldn't store anything that could harm the chickens if the got into it.

 

[4 the Birds]

Love your rainbarrel shown! You could put a spigot on the bottom with a valve that fills a pan or waterer. You could for sure turn a nest box or two into a feed bin that is closed and you fill from the lift lid. A 4" pvc pipe connected to the bin and a "U elbow" at the bottom. Personally I would keep the boxes as is in case you have more hens. You can store your feed in the barn or garage in a big plastic or metal tote container with a lid. You could still do the 4" pvc pipe feeder if you needed to save room.

 

[hilari221]

It does have a spigot on the bottom . Do you have any pics of the PVC feeder idea? I can't quite picture it in my head!