So had to build some next boxes because of some egg eating problems
Here's what my nest boxes looked like before. With just straw and pine shavings in them.
So before I had 10 nest boxes. Just kinda thrown together.
Here is my new roll out nest boxes
Now there are 10 nest boxes. Each laying area is roughly 15in X 19in. The hidden egg compartment is 15 X 5in
4 foot trap door sections.
Here are some ceramic eggs. I had done collected today's bounty. The mats in the floor was outdoor carpet that I used for 1 day. Didn't work. Couldn't tack them down (too thick) and wouldn't lay flat. So it bunched up causing the eggs not to go all the way down.
Above: 10 eggs in one next box (I have a lot of girls fixing to start laying. Have about 20-30 eggs now, expecting 50-60 when everybody is of age)
Above: Trap door closed
Above: View from the inside (no flash)
I lifted the skirt, you can see the eggs in their dark cubby hole (no flash)
Flash on. You can barely see the pink of one egg.
Flash on. I lifted the sheet material I used. The black holey stuff if puffy drawer liner. Thought the eggs need just a tad bit more resistant to slow their roll, lol.
Both sheet and drawer liner lifted
Whole door slightly lifted
5 inches is plenty.
So issues: I have some hens refusing to lay in the nest boxes now but at least I know if they do the eggs are safe.
Also have issues with 2 hens wanting to get in the same box. And this applies to different hens. Everybody is wanting to crowd in the same ones at the same time. The nest boxes seem more roomy than before, maybe because no pine shavings? But technically they are smaller because their is 6 to each row instead of 5.
Unexpected bonus: besides the egg eater not getting their fill, the eggs are so much cleaner!!!
I used puffy drawer liner material to line the nest box and tacked the corners. Over all pretty please. Just hope the ones who don't like it get over it.
Here's what my nest boxes looked like before. With just straw and pine shavings in them.
So before I had 10 nest boxes. Just kinda thrown together.
Here is my new roll out nest boxes
Now there are 10 nest boxes. Each laying area is roughly 15in X 19in. The hidden egg compartment is 15 X 5in
4 foot trap door sections.
Here are some ceramic eggs. I had done collected today's bounty. The mats in the floor was outdoor carpet that I used for 1 day. Didn't work. Couldn't tack them down (too thick) and wouldn't lay flat. So it bunched up causing the eggs not to go all the way down.
Above: 10 eggs in one next box (I have a lot of girls fixing to start laying. Have about 20-30 eggs now, expecting 50-60 when everybody is of age)
Above: Trap door closed
Above: View from the inside (no flash)
I lifted the skirt, you can see the eggs in their dark cubby hole (no flash)
Flash on. You can barely see the pink of one egg.
Flash on. I lifted the sheet material I used. The black holey stuff if puffy drawer liner. Thought the eggs need just a tad bit more resistant to slow their roll, lol.
Both sheet and drawer liner lifted
Whole door slightly lifted
5 inches is plenty.
So issues: I have some hens refusing to lay in the nest boxes now but at least I know if they do the eggs are safe.
Also have issues with 2 hens wanting to get in the same box. And this applies to different hens. Everybody is wanting to crowd in the same ones at the same time. The nest boxes seem more roomy than before, maybe because no pine shavings? But technically they are smaller because their is 6 to each row instead of 5.
Unexpected bonus: besides the egg eater not getting their fill, the eggs are so much cleaner!!!
I used puffy drawer liner material to line the nest box and tacked the corners. Over all pretty please. Just hope the ones who don't like it get over it.
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