Nest Box Lid?

[sreihart]

I'm now in the process of trying to build the lid for my exterior nest boxes. As you can see it has roof-like rafters, but I want to put an insulated lid over it since all of the walls and ceiling will be insulated. Have any of you built this type of lid? I want to have a lip on the lid so it comes down at least an inch or two over the top of the framing so if a predator would manage to somehow get the lid to move, it still wouldn't be able to squeeze in (I'm SO predator paranoid!). Oh, and the rafter board ends will be trimmed so the ends are vertical. I'm not sure how to go about it and the clock is ticking. In a few weeks my hens are going to begin laying and they really need to be in their coop before then.

 

[CindyG]

Are you planning one long lid? Will it hinge to lift up? Maybe you could frame on the inside of the lid for each nest box, insulate inside that frame and cover it. Then, each section would fit tightly inside each nest box when the lid was closed

 

[ScotH]

Just a newbie here, maybe you could make two sliding lids, one atop the other, kind of like the lids on those reach-in ice cream freezers at corner stores.

 

[BirdBrain]

We are making a very similar nesting system only we opted to make the roof fixed and have a drop down door on the back. I don't think I would trim off the rafter ends. This provides a bit more overhang for your lid and protection from rain. I don't know what you are using for insulation but for the lid you might consider foam board covered on the inside with 1/4 inch plywood. Put blocking between the rafters and add that lip you were talking about and you should be good to go.

 

[rebbetzin]

Hmmm, it would be a lot more work and hardware etc. But.. having a lid for each nest box would be safer when you are gathering eggs. If you have one big lid, if there are any chickens in the nest boxes they could escape.

I only have one nest box. I used a pre made cabinet door. I got it for free, someone was throwing away some cabinets, and the doors were perfect for my coop!

That could be an idea, depending on the size of the openings you have made.

A series of sliding doors is a good idea too. Though, I am not sure how you would insulate a sliding door system

 

[sreihart]

Quote:
Yes, one long lid with a hinge. I thought the less number of lids then the less chance of a predator getting inside.

I like the idea of the foam insulation. Hadn't thought of that, but it would make for a thinner, lighter lid. Hmm...

 

[moetrout]

I would eliminate those little "rafters" and put the "roof" framing as part of the lid. Your lid would then become like a 2x4 wall and could be insulated. I hope that makes sense.

 

[rebbetzin]

You can keep the dividers for the nest boxes, add a bit of a frame, then get some long "piano" hinges for the single piece of wood for a lid. That might work.

 

[c57asey]

I'm lazy; what jumps out at me is 2 or 4 in foam board [box store] knife cut--I use a thinbladed cheap stainless butcher type, a few passes work fine--- betweeen the "rafters" lay some 3/8's plywood on top with the appropriate foam board glue. Let dry; and hinge to suit; if a long lid gets troublesome you could later run cuts thru it along the middle of the rafters to individualise the boxes. Too tight foam is easily shaved off with an open weave "rust cutter" for metal or such. Latch the predators out if they are a problem.