Modifying TSC Coop - Nest box size?

[tjcib]

I bought one of the coops from TSC that will be too small for my 6 Australorp girls. Oh well, rookie mistake...

So now I am doing some renovations...I have two huge 4'x8' PVC panels (1.5" thick). I am going to craft nesting boxes out of those and use the coops built in nesting space for additional room (get it up to about 18 sq.ft...which I know is bare minimum).

I believe two nesting boxes would be sufficient for 6 hens. The attach point is a weird shape, so I'm wondering about height for the next box:

Any issues with a 12" H x 13" W x 12" D box? I notice most retail boxes have a slanted top. Any advantage to that?

It will also have a lip on the entrance about three inches high to keep it separate from the shaving on the Coop floor.

Am I missing any considerations? Of course it will hav an access panel, probably the roof on hinges.

Other thoughts?

 

[Happy Quack]

You may want to consider a new coop.
. I use to work at tsc and got one really cheap. It barley made it one year. I had bought it as transition coop for young chickens.

 

[tjcib]

A new one is in the realm of possibility.

I actually thought about building one under our deck (about 5 feet of head space) but $$$$

 

[PapaBear4]

Quote: Holy moly! That's some heavy duty material. That would make for a very overbuilt nestbox. PVC also tends to degrade in the sun.


Quote: That's a good size, yes. They're often slanted to keep hens from sitting and pooping on top of the nest boxes.


Quote: That will also keep eggs from rolling out of the box.


Quote: No, I think you've covered it all for the nest boxes themselves. I'm still not sure that 1.5" PVC is the right material for the job though. The only other thing I can think to mention is to try to make sure that the roost bar is higher than the nest boxes.

Let us know how it works out!

 

[tjcib]

[COLOR=333333]No, I think you've covered it all for the nest boxes themselves.  I'm still not sure that 1.5" PVC is the right material for the job though. The only other thing I can think to mention is to try to make sure that the roost bar is higher than the nest boxes.  [/COLOR]
 

Talking with my wife I think we have decided just to build a new coop from scratch. I am going to use that thick PVC as the floor because I think it will clean really well and not be absorbent. As you said it might also keep it out of the sun and last longer.

I appreciate you mentioning the roost bars being higher than the nest boxes. I never thought about that. That certainly is helpful

 

[PraiseGod]

If you build the nest box entrence flush with the wall then you don't need to build a slanted top one. And it gives more room inside the coop.

 

[PapaBear4]

Happy to be of value! If you have other questions about things specific to your setup you're welcome to PM me.

 

[PraiseGod]

One more random point, though you may already know, a poop board at least 2' wide with a lip filled with horse stall freshener is a must have. It's amazing how well it absorbs ammonia and easier to clean than cat litter. I prefer granulated.

 

[tjcib]

If you build the nest box entrence flush with the wall then you don't need to build a slanted top one. And it gives more room inside the coop.

Yes, was planning on mounting it on the outside.

One more random point, though you may already know, a poop board at least 2' wide with a lip filled with horse stall freshener is a must have. It's amazing how well it absorbs ammonia and easier to clean than cat litter. I prefer granulated.

I still haven't decided what the roost setup will be, but the poop board will play a role in that. Thanks for the tip.