Nest Box 2.0 ??

[aart]

tomorrow morning will tell the tale

I used HC on the bottom and covered it will straw and some pine shavings; also installed the heater under the HC in hopes that it will delay/stop eggs from freezing.

Any pics of this as you were building it?
Have you tested the temps inside the nests?
Maybe not what with the 'warm' weather.

 

[Ted Brown]

...
Any pics of this as you were building it?
Have you tested the temps inside the nests?
Maybe not what with the 'warm' weather.

I did take a picture of the front face after I built and painted it but that is it.

I managed to get the box assembled and installed in 4 hours this afternoon, was focused on getting it done. I dis-assembled my original boxes and utilized the sides from that (cut down somewhat). I used your individual box dimensions (14" by 14" by 16"), did not put a back on it simply used a 2" by 3" across the back bottom to add rigidity and use to screw to the wall.

Have not taken inside temperatures but expect that it will be warmer given the heater attached to the bottom. As noted above there is HC and straw between the eggs/birds so most of the heat should go straight up. I built a PEX frame with antifreeze inside the pipe heat is attached to the center section and should heat up to give a more constant heat source. I have a small thermometer that I will put inside one of the boxes; good suggestion thanks.

The second picture below shows the heater in the old nest box. The new box floor is all HC and the heater mounted in the center extending from end to end.

 

[aart]

I built a PEX frame with antifreeze inside the pipe heat is attached to the center section and should heat up to give a more constant heat source.

Hmmmm...wonders how much heat goes to outer legs?
I'd be all over that with an infrared temp gauge

 

[Ted Brown]

Hmmmm...wonders how much heat goes to outer legs?
I'd be all over that with an infrared temp gauge

@jthornton made the same point, suggested that a smaller diameter pipe on one leg might cause better circulation. It was built so I used it, I have thought about a longer pipe heater and may go in that direction and snake it along all three legs.

I will try to track down an infrared gauge, it would be interesting.

 

[jthornton]

Note the "Distance to Spot" ratio of the handheld infrared thermometer you're looking at. It can make a difference in how well it works for you. A guide from Fluke Instruments.

JT

 

[Ted Brown]

@jthornton or anyone? Do the ~$25-$35 infrared thermometers on Amazon work well?

 

[aart]

@jthornton or anyone? Do the ~$25-$35 infrared thermometers on Amazon work well?

Got a link?
I have a $20 version from harbor freight seems to work ok.

 

[jthornton]

@jthornton or anyone? Do the ~$25-$35 infrared thermometers on Amazon work well?

Sorry but I don't own one of those, just read the reviews carefully before buying electronic stuff on Amazon. I have a Fluke temperature meter that I used to use for work.

JT

 

[Ted Brown]

Well small steps I guess. I had 1 pullet lay in the nest box this morning; 5 used their usual back corner, 1 taking a break. I will wait some days before I start to encourage the others to use it.

A friend has a Infrared Thermometer that I will borrow for the week to check on heater function. However, when I went out this morning the outside temperature was 0C, temperature inside the coop was 5C. The thermometer is mounted on the wall immediately above the new nest box and may have been influenced by the heater, I was surprised at the difference but reminded myself that there is 15 full sized birds inside as well. I also felt the heater itself and I can feel heat in all three legs, seemed about the same in each one, I did not try to measure.

 

[aart]

5 used their usual back corner,

Those ungrateful......soandso's!!
Block that back corner and put fake eggs in the new nests...or just wait and see.