Milk Crates for Nest Boxes?

[ChickenLane]

If I take plastic milk crates and cover all side but the bottom will the big enough ie. Deep enough for chickens or should I just build nest boxes and get it over with?

 

[joletabey]

I have no idea- but it sounds like a good idea- it's possible if you get a dark crate and just put something on the bottom to make a lip and put hay in it, if it's in an isolated enough place, the hens might go for it. Drape a towel over it? Hmmmm. . . .you got me thinking. I have three chickens in my horse barn and they keep making a nest in the hay. . .. .

 

[WriterofWords]

I use a lot of milk crates because I get them free from the school. My hens seem to love them.

 

[Zahboo]

All you have to do is lay the milk crate on its side and put a little "bumper" to hold in the straw and BAM nest box

 

[Higins00]

I use milk crates too! They work just fine sitting up. They seem to like it raised so I tacked some in the wall with nails and some I stacked. They use both.

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

All we did was build a bench with a lip on the front, and lined the boxes up. Works like a charm, and our big Cochins fit in them just fine.

 

[jemmerson]

OK, and so, with the milk crates stacked, do the chickens need a roosting pole of some kind attached to the front of it to successfully get into it? Sorry, I'm new at this. I also have read attaching this pole out front of the box also helps keep the nesting box more free of poop. Is this true?

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

Quote:
I need to gather eggs. I will take a pic when I am out there. Be right back.

 

[Waldo]

We found a lot of milk crates on the side of the road several years ago and finally found a use for them. As hen nests. We put about a 4 inch board the width of the front to hold in the eggs and straw and nail it to the sides then nail the bottom of the crate to a piece of plywood a little wider and longer than the crate so it sticks out about 6 in. in the front. At the hardware store we bought a pkg. of camoflagued burlap and covered the sides, top and back. Gives them privacey and ventilation. One pkg. coveres several nests. you can nail into these crates easy.

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

Pardon the messy coop. Its finally warm enough to muck out after a long cold yucky winter, and we started yesterday.