How important is it to have exterior access to nesting boxes?

[Chew593]

How important is it to have exterior access to the nesting boxes. My coop is big enough to walk into and harvest eggs from the inside. My husband is questioning the necessity of outside access and I've tried to explain broody hens and the poo factor to him. Am I missing anything?

 

[cluckychick]

I don't have exterior access. I walk in my coop everyday. The poo is usually only under their roost which is at the back of the coop so I don't ever have to walk in it.

Going in the coop gives me the chance to look around and make sure everything is ok in there. No hiding hens, how much food they have. I have their feeder inside and water outside.

 

[morelcabin]

I like having them inside because it gives the birds more opportunity to know me. THey all come running as soon as I open the pen dor:>)

 

[Davaroo]

Its not important. You can just as easily go into the coop to collect eggs.

Outside access does keep you out of the poo and prevents disturbing the hens. Some people think those things are important.

For convenience, though, there's nothing like a rollaway nest, which carries the eggs to a central collecting point. I've seen a few on some Aussie sites. Pretty cool.

 

[patandchickens]

I don't think it's important for most people. If you will sometimes want to collect eggs in fancy clothes/shoes, the poo factor might matter. If you ahve little kids and you're afraid they might let the chickens out or get ambushed by a rooster, then too. Otherwise, enh. Just one more hole for drafts and predators to get in

One advantage of NOT having exterior access is you get one or two more good solid 'looks' at the chickens per day... more chance to notice problems.

But really, do what floats your boat. May's well build it the way you like, YOU'RE the one who has to live with it

(btw - Hey David, hi, where you been?!

)

Pat

 

[CityChook]

I know - I've been missing Mr. Davaroo...

I don't have an outside egg door. It's too cold here and I couldn't figure out how to keep the door from becoming a heat vacume. So I just walk in. No big deal, even in high heels. My nest is right by the front door, so technically I could just reach in, but I usually go in and refill food/water and distribute some love/treats while I'm out there.

 

[homestead5er]

When you have a walk in coop you don't need exterior nest box's. But when you have a small coop like mine you don't have to crawl inside to get your breakfast.

 

[ams3651]

I go inside to collect, its big enough to do so. I think if it were small it would make sense to have access outside. They come running when I go in but only to see if they can run past me and get outside before I close the door. I have a broody hen on one side, food on the other, I can check everything out when I go in.

 

[Clay In Iowa]

For me EXTREMELY important. My wife has serious issues with chickens.. .birds in general. There is a zero percent chance I would be able to get her to collect eggs from inside the coop. She can barely contain herself long enough to hold a day old chick. The first time a chicken came up and pecked her she would probably have a heart attack... hmmmmmmmmm maybe I'll put them on the far side of the coop... If nothing else I'll have a GREAT place to hide stuff from her.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Can you get a video? I, for one, would love to see that!