Nest Box Accesibility...Why???

[LindaN]

I think another reason why people add nest boxes to the outside is to allow more floor space inside the coop itself. I guess if the chickens can hop up on top of the next boxes, it is calculated into total usable space, but most folks don't want chickens sitting on top of the nest boxes and making a mess.

 

[arlee453]

I can't fit in my coop, so the boxes are on the outside.

 

[sunnydee]

I asked the same question last week. You dont have to...just some ppl choose to. I decided not to cause I love going in and visiting my babies.

 

[New2Peeps]

For a small coop the exterior nest boxes are quite practical as they free up room inside the coop and allow really easy egg gathering. Plus it is sort of a cute addition to the outside of the coop. I like to visit with the chicks but they come outside the coop instead of me going in

 

[ibpboo]

My nest boxes are inside without outside access. They are up off the ground so they can go under if they want, and they do get on top and make messes up there, I just clean them off sometimes.

 

[La Banan]

Keeping in the same vein as this thread - why pop doors? Can't I just let the chickens out the door door? I want to have a door into the run anyway so it seems like it would work. What do you all think?

 

[Chickaroo!]

I'm beginning to think that the use of pop doors and accesibility to the nest boxes on the outside of the coop are just preference things. It seems that you can just do what you want. I only put the pop door in because I think it's cute. Escpecially the little ramp and all.

 

[New2Peeps]

The only other consideration I can think of for having a pop door and outside access egg gathering is that in the winter you might have a lot less loss of heat--especially not having to leave a bigger door open all the time for the gals to go in and out.

 

[Chickaroo!]

Ahhh, yes. New2Peeps, that is a great point!!! Very smart, you are!

 

[traceyk73]

We are very new to chickens and just finished building our coop a couple of weeks ago. I like having the nest boxes accessible from the outside just for ease of collecting eggs. It's simply easier to open doors and grab eggs then to navigate past food, water, roosts, etc to get to the nest boxes. Plus, it frees up more floor space. We will see how we like it in the long term, but I am in the coop every other day filling food and freshening water, so one less thing to go "in" for is nice. And the chickens free range/pasture all day so we see and interact with them plenty. I do agree that it is merely a preference thing though. I will post photos of our coop later.

Tracey