how to keep egg box dry

[gtaus]

Yes! Awning above coming off the coop roof! Kudos! Make it wider than the nest roof and maybe 1/4 or 1/2 as far outward. I would still slant the nest roof.

I think that would help. However, you still have the problem of rain hitting the sidewall and flowing down on top of your flat nest box top.

If you have to redesign your nest box and rebuild part of it, I would think slanting a fixed nest box top and having the end drop down would be easier than modifying your roof. Also, ascetically, I don't know if an awning on the roof above the nest box would look all that good. More importantly, you still have a flat nest box top that will still pose problems.

Better just to redesign your nest box like the pictures provided by @Club cramahe coop. But maybe if @BielefelderHen (OP) uploaded a picture of their setup other options might come to mind.

 

[Cryss]

This^^^ is especially appropriate due to the nest coming thru the run mesh.
Make sure the nest access door has raccoon proof latches/locks,
and that the run mesh is firmly attached to the coop and/or nest...
... and that the run mesh itself is predator proof(not chicken wire).

ETA: I assume this is already built?
"i have problem with the rain soaking through the lid"
A pic of the real thing would be most helpful.

I hadn't enlarged that drawing on my phone so I didn't pick up on the nests protruding through the fence.
Ouch. Amen, no chicken wire! Heck, I'd slant the roof, make it larger than the nesting box so it protects the walls, paint for wood protection, seal this all up so I would need to go indoors to gather eggs, and then wrap every inch of the nest box and its roof in 1/2inch hardware cloth.
That exposed nest box is scary, giving me nightmares just thinking about it.

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

don't worry, it isn't like that at the moment.
that is what is was going to be like on my next house. the house i'm talking about is exactly the same, but no egg box protruding through the wire.

it doesn't show on the pictures, but the roof is actually slightly slanted...!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't like flat roofs anywhere, the nests or the coop itself. Water pools on it and either leaks through or rots it.

The way you butted that coop up against the fence you don't have to seal the fence that close to the nest. You can attach it to the top, bottom, and sides. Not sure how you actually attached that fence. To me furring strips screwed on would work great. It would be interesting to see a real photo. But you could cut away that wire on the back side to give you room to work if you seal it around the edges of the coop. I assume you want to gather eggs from outside the fence.

Water is probably getting in where you have it hinged. That's real common. You can put a rubber gasket back there to help and still open that hinged top, but with a flat roof where the water does not run off very well that may not solve the problem. But a rubber gasket and caulk should stop water from running down the wall of the coop and into the nest.

Personally I'd rebuild it with a sloped roof. How high off the ground it is and who will be collecting the eggs would be my determining factor as to whether you have a roof that opens up or you put a front door with a fixed roof. I would not want to blindly stick my hand in the nest to gather an egg, you might get a surprise and I don't just mean a chicken, chicken poop, or a broken egg. A couple of times I've found a snake in my nests. That would really get your heart to pumping if you recognize it by feel instead of sight. By sight is bad enough I assure you. Another issue is that if a hen is on the nest you don't want her flying out so you have to catch her. I think being able to see in there is pretty important.

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

ok, i can see the problem. i should probably really build a slope roof for the house, even if only temporary, but for the nest box, would it be ok to just get a waterproof covering over it?

 

[Cryss]

ok, i can see the problem. i should probably really build a slope roof for the house, even if only temporary, but for the nest box, would it be ok to just get a waterproof covering over it?

Your original question was about the nest box, am I right? That is what we are all talking about. The nest box should have a slanted roof. Flat roofs pool water causing it to seep down inti cracks and gaps and to rot the roof wood. Slanted roofs shed water. Slant your nest roof as steep as any roof you see on human homes. And, yes, slat the coops house roof too! No roof on any outdoor structure should ever be flat. A deck outside is flat but the floorboards are spaced to allow rain to run through to reduce the wood rotting quickly. Slant every roof you ever build.

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

Your original question was about the nest box, am I right? That is what we are all talking about. The nest box should have a slanted roof. Flat roofs pool water causing it to seep down inti cracks and gaps and to rot the roof wood. Slanted roofs shed water. Slant your nest roof as steep as any roof you see on human homes. And, yes, slat the coops house roof too! No roof on any outdoor structure should ever be flat. A deck outside is flat but the floorboards are spaced to allow rain to run through to reduce the wood rotting quickly. Slant every roof you ever build.

yes, as said in my post (#13) i do have a slanted roof, although it doesn't show in the pics i put on

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

there is also felt on both roofs but they don't seem to offer much protection.
i'd do better to get or make a new waterproof cover or rebuild the roof.

 

[aart]

yes, as said in my post (#13) i do have a slanted roof, although it doesn't show in the pics i put on

Well, yes...why I asked for pic of the real thing

A pic of the real thing would be most helpful.

..and gave a thumbs up for this suggestion:

Another option with nest boxes on the outside, is to have the slanted top fixed in place (sealed tight to ensure it is waterproof) and then open the backside of the nest boxes to collect the eggs.

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

sorry for any misunderstanding
thanks for all suggestions, i especially like the idea of collecting eggs out of the back