Nest box door...or not???

[kiwiegg]

Today was a BIG day for me. After wanting chooks for years I ordered 16 Gold Star chicks to be picked up in 6 weeks.

I am starting to build the walk-in coop from "Buiding Chicken Coops For Dummies" but I have 3 nice vinyl windows I picked up a while back and I'm going to get a proper door instead of making one. I'm planning the framing and want to get your ideas about the positives/negatives of including a nest box door (like in the plans I have).

I'm imagining that it would be nice not to enter the coop every time to get eggs but I'm wondering if this could potentially be a weak point for drafts/insulation (in Minnesota). Also, do the gals try to escape every time you open the door to a walk-in? Are exterior nest box doors common in walk-ins?

Basic questions I know but I figure now is the time to ask.
Thanks!

 

[Tigertrea]

Total newbie here too but, I am not going with a egg door for my coop to start with. I am still tossing around how I am going to get eggs. 1) i just wait until they are mostly in the run and go in through the out-of-run people door. 2) add a second people door from the run into the coop. (the pop door would then be cut into the people door...like a doggie door). I think I'll be going with just one door into the coop though. I figure if no egg door does not work for me I can always add one later!

 

[kiwiegg]

Yeah, it's a tough one. I would like to figure it out before I frame though - don't like the idea of cutting one out of a wall later. I'm thinking a proper people door into the 8x8 coop (get eggs) and another people entrance on the side of the runfor maintenence. I have plenty of space but want a decent sized run to they have plenty of room. I have no idea what I'm doing but have the skills to adjust the plans when needed - just dont have any chook experience so its hard to tell what will be practical and what is just eye candy in plans.

 

[Scifisarah]

We didn't think we'd need outside access to the nest boxes when we first built our coop but have really regretted it. I had a massive allergy attack every time I went in to get eggs, and half the time end up with a sinus infection. Not fair to be so allergic to chickens...

Last week my husband and I purchased 6" pvc pipe and put it in circular holes behind the boxes cut with a jigsaw. We sealed it well and put caps on the tubes sticking out the back of the coop with little handles on them. Seems to be working well so far. I'll take a photo tomorrow if anyone is interested.

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

here is the door to our run



I collect the eggs from the "people" door. You can see the nest box area on the bottom right. There are 8 nest boxes
and I like to go in and see what's going on. So far it has worked out well. Our coop is 6' x 8'. We were going to hang the nest boxes inside but that took up too much room so DH cut a hole in the wall and attached them.


Here they are right after DH installed them.

 

[kiwiegg]

Pictures ....yes please! The pvc is a great idea, I wondering how the pvc has enough stability when placed in siding hole?

 

[QuakerMom]

Re: the building coops for dummies book -- have you found it to be useful and accurate?
How many coop designs are in it? Does it include walk-in med sized coops ( 4 x 6 or 4 x 7, w/people door), raised off the ground?
I read reviews on Amazon and got the impression it has numerous errors.

Thx!

Rita

 

[honeynajar]

Yes Pictures please! Wanting to actually see this PVC you speak of! Thanks!



"Last week my husband and I purchased 6" pvc pipe and put it in circular holes behind the boxes cut with a jigsaw. We sealed it well and put caps on the tubes sticking out the back of the coop with little handles on them. Seems to be working well so far. I'll take a photo tomorrow if anyone is interested."

 

[kiwiegg]

The Dummies book is actually pretty good Rita. Regarding any errors, I have not really found any in the plans but previous experience with other plans tells me to be willing to adjust plans to my needs and be willing to be flexible in material choice. I build in stages and get supplies in stages, this seemes to cut down on waste. The general chicken keeping info is great for someone like myself who is new to these things. I spent MANY hours looking for good sets of plans from glitzy online sources (...but wait, there's more...we will throw in a free set of steak knives...) but never found anything useful. I looked at buying a coop but the cost of building is clearly a cheaper option for me.

The next size down coop plan from the walk in is the "All in one" with a 6 chicken capacity.There are 5 plans in total but for me the book was worth the price for general info alone. BYC.com is the best resource of course because experienced people are willing to answer specific questions.

 

[cooped up]

This is a great thread!!

I am planning to change my coop for this very reason, my re-model will make the egg collecting, feeding and cleaning POOP FREE!!

The current set-up has me going in to collect the eggs where they also roost and walk into the coop. I think I can control the enviroment a little better so that I don't drag chicken poop into the house. My wife will be a lot happier!

A pop door and a people door and access to the nesting boxes were not considered my first time around.I'm functioning but I can do better.