has anyone used these nesting boxes

[GinaNew York]

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/little-giant-single-nesting-box?cm_vc=-10005

our idea is to put these inside the coop with a drop down door to the storage section of the coop (still inside the coo) for easy access - the chickens will be big - Brahmas, wyandottes - reviews are good except some say the perches have broken

any experience with these?

 

[BlueShadow]

We have two of those in our coop, along with a more traditional style nest box. My birds are large - Barnevelders and Buckeyes.

This year the chickens use the plastic ones pretty well. Last year they didn't use them much at all.

The perch is awkwardly placed. Ours haven't broken, but its a clumsy distance from the box for the chickens. We mounted the nest box as close to the floor as it could go (in our coop, the bottom of the nest box is about 4 inches off the floor, the perch is about 6 inches off the floor). Then we put some bricks on the floor just below and in front of the perch. The bricks give the birds a bit of a step up so its easier for them to reach the perch. They also allow the birds to see into the nest box more easily. I would say just have some kind of plan for "assistant perch" and the boxes work fine.

The design is easy to clean, there is plenty of ventilation. Nesting material (we use straw) doesn't stay in the boxes very well, its always being kicked out.

 

[GinaNew York]

sounds like from what I'm reading the perches are breaking - that scares me for injuries - and would the eggs roll out easily too?

 

[BlueShadow]

Eggs have never rolled out.

Like I said, our perches haven't broken. However, since they are only a few inches off the ground, I am not worried about injuries if they do break.

 

[GinaNew York]

thank you for the input

 

[Lonesome Dough]

I bought those even though I don't have any birds yet, I liked the easy clean idea and they were on sale. The perches did look flimsy to me so reading these comments I think when I mount them I'll screw a piece of 1x4 lumber across the front attached to the perch connecting all four boxes together to give them a runway like a conventional set of wooden nesting boxes has.

 

[harveyhorses]

I bought one for the same reasons, I honestly thought my girls would like it, I mounted it just about on the floor, they boycotted it. I was finding eggs in every other corner of the coop, even on the doorstep of it. they are two Buff Orps, 7YO, I took it out and stuck an oversize milk crate in 'for the moment', and they are right in there. I really like the design, but if they don't that's the bottom line for me.
I think if that's what is there when they are ready, you should be fine.

 

[GinaNew York]

I'm going to check these out at tractor supply this weekend. Thank you for the input. I want them safe and happy.

 

[432bullet]

WE have 5 of them, Been using for 4 yrs no problems. Easy to clean.

 

[harveyhorses]

Just curious, did your girls ever have another kind of nest box and switched over?
I am wondering if I should keep mine and get the new girls to use it next to where my layers are laying now.