I've been doing a bit of coop redecorating to ease the apparent overcrowding of my flock (11 chickens in a 48 sq foot coop and 64 sq foot run).
My hubby built me a new 32 sq foot coop with attached 100 sq foot run, and I've moved the two picked on EEs in so they could have some peace away from the rest of the flock. I gave them one of the old, rickety nest boxes for now (currently on the floor, but I will raise it some to make them more comfortable).
I bought a "triplex" plywood nest box from our farm store, knowing I needed three boxes for my flock and knowing how rickety and pathetic the old ones were (and realizing as much as hubby intends to build me new boxes, that project is pretty low on the list of things to do). For now I have the unit on the floor along the wall, next to the roost and close to the door. Obviously the hens aren't impressed; yesterday there were eggs randomly laid all over the coop floor.
I want to hang this big triplex up off the ground. I think I read 18 inches is a good height, but is that true? Also, the roost is fixed to its current location with HUGE rusty old nails that will be a bear to get out, so I plan to move the nest boxes elsewhere and scoot the food and water over to make more floor space. The question is, which spot is better for the nest box:
Over the door to the run (out of the way, over the heads of eaters and far enough away from anyone using the roost to peck layers),
Or adjacent to the roost (one box could be within reach of the hen closest to it sitting on the roost).
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
My hubby built me a new 32 sq foot coop with attached 100 sq foot run, and I've moved the two picked on EEs in so they could have some peace away from the rest of the flock. I gave them one of the old, rickety nest boxes for now (currently on the floor, but I will raise it some to make them more comfortable).
I bought a "triplex" plywood nest box from our farm store, knowing I needed three boxes for my flock and knowing how rickety and pathetic the old ones were (and realizing as much as hubby intends to build me new boxes, that project is pretty low on the list of things to do). For now I have the unit on the floor along the wall, next to the roost and close to the door. Obviously the hens aren't impressed; yesterday there were eggs randomly laid all over the coop floor.
I want to hang this big triplex up off the ground. I think I read 18 inches is a good height, but is that true? Also, the roost is fixed to its current location with HUGE rusty old nails that will be a bear to get out, so I plan to move the nest boxes elsewhere and scoot the food and water over to make more floor space. The question is, which spot is better for the nest box:
Over the door to the run (out of the way, over the heads of eaters and far enough away from anyone using the roost to peck layers),
Or adjacent to the roost (one box could be within reach of the hen closest to it sitting on the roost).
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
