Help w/Nesting Box Placement

[MakeMineCadburys]

First let me tell you - I'm a total NOOB at this. I've never had chickens before. I'm trying to wait patiently for the eggs I know are comin'!!! I have three Rhode Island Reds about 4-5 months old; 2 white silkies, prolly 2 months old; one Aracuna (I hope I'm spelling that right) and one that I was told was an Red Old English, but someone else told me she was not. So .... 7 happy ladies!

Here's our Chicken Condo (I've had several friends ask if they can move in

)
The floor of the top level is a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood (so you can get an idea of size)
I love that they have automatic shade built in!

Here's the inside to the left and to the right. The door I'm shooting through is the same size and basic construction as the one you can see at the far end just past the roosting poles.

So here's my question: I purchased some "trays" -- they're like the trays that a flat of plants come in, only smaller -- and I was hoping to use them as nesting boxes. 1st -- where should I put them? Should we build shelves or something? and what do you put in the nexting boxes? I have shavings on the floor of the inside of the coop now...

Thanks in advance for any all help!!!

Lorraine

 

[cmom]

My husband wants to build a coop like yours except it will be 8'x32' or 10x32, but I want something I can stand up in. I love your coop. The new coop will be raised off the ground about the same height as yours. It will be built on the back of our barn. Most likely it will be 8x32 as he can use 8 sheets of plywood and won't have to cut any sheets.

 

[SeralTaooke]

Hmmm... I can't really visualize what sort of trays you are referring to, but here are some basic nest box guidelines.

~Boxes should be 12" by 12" with a height of 14" for standard chickens, which should work for you.

~ You need one nest box for every four layers. I recommend you install three initially, as you may get more chickens and it will look nicer.

~ Ideally, nest boxes should be above the ground- 18" to 24" is pretty good, but it doesn't really matter as long as the chickens can hop in.

~ Hens like dark, out-of-the-way places to lay their eggs. Remember this in where you place them. I suggest setting the roofs at a 45 degree angle, so the aren't tempted to kip up top.

~ Typical nest box liners are straw and softwood shavings. Both work fine in my experience, though shavings such as you already have are usually considered preferable. To keep them in, put a 4" to 6" lip in front of the boxes.

~ The boxes should be accessible. Collecting eggs shouldn't become a chore. One way to do this is is to install a flap in the back wall of each box. Then, when you go to collect, you can undo the flap and stick your hand in, minimally disturbing the hen. With your setup, I think it will be easier than crawling into the coop for breakfast each morning.

Your hard-working hens will be spending a lot of time in their boxes- make them cozy, clean havens and you're halfway there.

ps. You coop looks totally amazing! Those are some lucky chickens. Have fun!

 

[MakeMineCadburys]

cmom - Thank you for the warm welcome!! That's the reason ours is the size that it is - no plywood cutting! LOL!! Lazy hubbies!! Ha ha ha!!! (just kidding - a LOT of sweat went into that coop by my DH!!!) I can see (after building and using this coop and seeing other's coops) how having a stand-uppable coop would have it's advantages. There are a few flaws with our setup - one being that if they are in the bottom level at the near end, there's no way to get to them without crawling under the entire coop. I'm thinking we may want to install a second door at that end.

SeralTaooke - many thanks for the detailed info. I think I'm going to have to scrap the trays (they are about 12x12 with a 3 inch lip all around, but made of sturdy mesh, rather than solid) and think of something else. I'm really looking forward to those eggs!!! YUM!!!

 

[Chickn chick 46]

Very nice coop!! You have the ideal set up for an outside egg door. My coop has four nest boxes built on the inside and a door that opens from the outside to collect eggs. This I like b/c I can collect eggs fom underneath a hen without getting pecked. Learned the hard way that going in for an egg beak end can some times be painful.

 

[Doormantnt]

First off. Very nice. just a question, does the whole side open? I can see the handles?

I would absolultly save the floor space, and put on external nest boxes. something you could access thru a small hinged roof, or back.

just go away from the roost bars since you really don't want them roosting in the nest boxes.

TNT

 

[MakeMineCadburys]

Chickn chick 46 - thank you for the words of advice - I've also learned to be quick about feeding them their "snackies" - peelings and such from the kitchen - especially the blueberries! LOL!! They want their snackies and they want them NOW!!! They come a'runnin' when they see me with the kitchen bowl! I never thought about them pecking me over the eggs. Do they just sit there on the eggs until you take them? As I said, I'm totally new at this!!! (But enjoying very much!!!)

Doormantnt - no, the whole side does not open; those handles are to move it - there is one handle on each of the four corners. And it does really take 4 strong people to move it! YIKES!! I saw some external boxes and thought that might be the way to go. Thank you for confirming that!

 

[MakeMineCadburys]

Well, all,
THANK YOU for your suggestions and kind words!!!

Here's photos ... the only thing left to do is shingle the "roof!"

(The chain has since been cut off)

Inside:

Checking it out:

Thanks again!!!!
Lorraine