MILK CRATES for nesting boxes?????????

[bald k9]

Are those plastic milk crates a good size for nesting boxes for standard size chickens?? The grocer has a ton he said I could have as many as i needed for FREE, I like the fact that they are plastic and easy to clean with power sprayer? Thank for your time

 

[Kansaseq]

That's what I use, and my girls think they are just fine. I turn them on their side and put something in the 'bottom' like a roofing shingle or cardboard so the shavings don't fall out. If you can get them for free, go for it!

 

[chixie]

thats what i use.. except my hens wouldnot use them on its side so mine or upright and they love it except my 2 hens that lay their eggs in my ducks nest

 

[louloubean]

my friend uses that for his chickens (and guineas) and they all use them happily.

i got a load of free lumber, so that's why i don't!

good luck!

 

[cmom]

I have a couple of milk crates in one of my coops with some nest boxes, as my flock is growing. All of my birds still use the nest boxes. I have only had one birds ever use a milk crate one time. Soon they will be moved to a new coop with many more nest boxes. I'm not sure if I should put the nest boxes from the older coop in the new coop or just let them get used to the new nest boxes.

 

[fjorddreamer]

We use them for our buff orpingtons, wyandottes, etc. and they work great! Wish I could get my hands on more of them.

 

[gsim]

Use them. If necessary, cut out fronts with a circular saw. I use 12x12x4" deep plastic parts bins that were freebies, set at 24" ht. They can be pulled and stacked for taking outside to hose off, but I never have had to do that yet. Seems the chooks do not poop in them or sleep in them either. Plenty of roost space up at 48" height on opposite wall. I have dividers between nests, but no tops over them. That way, I do not need to leave lights on in coop as enough light will be present. I just keep them filled with grass clippings.

I have 24 pullets and 10 nest boxes at 24" ht. Those crazy chooks all try to use one nest on the far left. They will even wait and squawk for another to finish. It is nothing to find 5 eggs in the one and a hen readying herself to lay yet another ! Still, mine are very young, just 5 1/2 months and averaging 6 to 7 eggs daily. They started laying at 4 months.