Have you done this? How do you like it?

[ashlieneevel]

I know that many people install their next boxes for external collection but I was curious if anyone decided to create a collection and storage room instead where they had the nest boxes fit between the framing studs with access in a separate enclosed room with base cabinets below. I'm just curious if you feel it was worth it and would do it again or not. It seems pretty practical to me.

 

[Mahlzeit]

In order for something like that you would need a pretty big sized chicken coop. For myself personally it wouldn't be practical because that is wasted space that could be used to house more chickens.

 

[Cacique500]

We had a HORRIBLE time with a pre-made coop and water leaking into the external boxes. When we custom built the new coop, nest boxes were designed to be completely internal. In the "coop" portion, chickens have 8x10 and the "human" side is also 8x10. This alone was worth the entire upgrade as everything stays dry now.

Chicken side:




Human Side:

 

[jrjoplin]

I've looked into this with my coop planning and I have to agree with @Mahlzeit . I had planned an 8x10 coop originally and when I added the nest boxes and storage room I had to expand the plans to at least 8x16. If size and space are not a concern I would say go for it but I think I'd use any extra space to give the girls some more room. I like going in the coop to see what might be going on; not that you can't see through a window but it's just not the same for me. I'm also not a fan of externally accessible nest boxes but that's just because of old experiences with sticky fingers reaching in.