Nest Box 2.0 ??

[aart]

6 eggs before 8:30am. $ in lower back corner, 1 nest, 1 drop board.

SMH.
You might have to put that brooder wall back up.

 

[Ted Brown]

SMH.
You might have to put that brooder wall back up.

I have not put anything to block that area. Still thinking about reconfiguration.

 

[aart]

I have not put anything to block that area. Still thinking about reconfiguration.

It can be hard to get the nests 'right', for both the birds and the keeper.
So many ways to do it.
....and any changes can throw things off.
I've been lucky, I guess, in that I've never had trouble with them not using the nests,
other than newly laying pullets not 'getting it' right off the bat.
Never had to make many changes, other than adding the hinged cover, which only stifled the ones who wanted to sleep in there.

 

[Ted Brown]

...and any changes can throw things off.

Unintended consequences are my main pause.

If I reconfigure the back corner area to open to the front if becomes more accessible than it is now, better for me (although not as good as not used). Of course what I think as a small change may not be what the ladies think. It does seem that the 2nd flock (youngsters) like and will use the nest boxes as they are in/out often.

 

[Ted Brown]

Yesterday 4 back corner, 1 board, 1 nest. Today 7 back corner, 1 board (guessing one was laid yesterday PM as I was away). I am flat on my stomach to retrieve eggs in back corner.

I will decide and do whatever I am going to do about the nest boxes this weekend.

 

[Ted Brown]

Update: I tried a plastic bucket, then I blocked off the back corner to the left of the nest box completely. Pullets just move left along the back wall under the drop board.

The drop board is 32" wide. I have to lay on my stomach to retrieve eggs by hand (currently thinking about what plastic toy or ? to assist).

I don't want to build something else that does not work. Suggestions are welcome.

• The ladies used the nest box when the space under the drop board was closed off as my brooder space.

• Currently thinking to use some of front under the drop board as the nest boxes.
  • block access to space behind the nests
  • boxes moveable "easily"
• Have been warned that I am not smarter than my flock.

 

[aart]

(currently thinking about what plastic toy or ? to assist).

I have what's called a shrub rake, works pretty good for snagging eggs, I use it daily for moving shavings in the coop and other things.

The ladies used the nest box when the space under the drop board was closed off as my brooder space.

Put barrier back up for now, so they go back to using the nests you already have. I don't think 'losing' that space temporarily will be a hardship.

Then think over the winter about some mods.

Poop board is low(~15"?) and wide, a nice cozy place. I'd think about raising it so it's not as attractive. Then maybe nests that are more 'cozy', add fronts with large round entrance holes to close them in a bit. Like these :

Just some thoughts.

 

[Henry&Friends]

I think you could raise your roost and board higher up and stick the nest boxes underneath— one on each corner, or both together. Then you’d have a nest where they want to lay, and you would free up some floor space.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

I have 4 nesting boxes... They all fight over 1 of them! I can never win when it comes to nesting boxes!

I have six nesting boxes for nineteen chickens. They only use three usually, then maybe four, and sometimes two. It's always a surprise as to which nest they used.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

I have what's called a shrub rake, works pretty good for snagging eggs, I use it daily for moving shavings in the coop and other things.

I bought a set of children's garden tools that have around 32 inch handles (Lowe's). The trio is a rake, hoe, and shovel. I use the rake for everything. It is vary good tool to move eggs around.


Put barrier back up for now, so they go back to using the nests you already have. I don't think 'losing' that space temporarily will be a hardship.

Then think over the winter about some mods.

Poop board is low(~15"?) and wide, a nice cozy place. I'd think about raising it so it's not as attractive. Then maybe nests that are more 'cozy', add fronts with large round entrance holes to close them in a bit. Like these :

Just some thoughts.