nest box, out or in ?

[MamaChic21]

I'm building 8x8 portable coop. I'm trying to make the coop as light as possible. The coop will be moved only twice a year. My question is, should I build 4ft nest boxes outwards or built in ones ?

 

[gryeyes]

I kinda like 'em outwards. I have a 4x8 coop with the nest boxes on the outside (rear rollaway nest boxes) and it gives me more floor space in the coop. Most of my other coops have outside nest boxes, but I'm having an 8X8 coop built without 'em. The nest boxes will be inside, made from plastic milk crates raised up on a long board placed across some up-ended concrete blocks. There's enough floor space in that coop to not worry about losing the real estate.

 

[MamaChic21]

even if the nest boxes will be in, the entry I was thinking would be from outside. You know a little door to get the eggs. I originally wanted the outside one's too, but I guess I'm feeling lazy to build one (all the measuring and such). But as far as weight concerns, which one do you think will weigh more? Do you have pic's of your 4x8 coop ? I'm a sucker for coop pic's

 

[gryeyes]

What the nest box looks like from the outside.

Inside view of the rollaway nest box as it's installed.

People door side before the coop is painted.

Inside of the coop after it was painted.

Inside view of the nest box after it was painted. Note the addition of the perch in front for them to jump onto.

Most of the exterior painted.

People door side, painted and decorated.

Three-quarters view of the people door side and back.

 

[wingsofglory]

Your nest boxes are roll-away style? I've been trying to visualize in my head how to build one myself out of plywood like yours. And what did you line them with so the eggs don't break but still roll? I see some lavender something in there.

I think you've done what I want to build. But I don't know how much slope will work. Can you describe measurements inside, of slope, and where the egg goes after its laid - is it out of reach of the hens?

Do you have pictures of the insides of the nest boxes?

I'm good at building if I can just see what I'm aiming for. Your experience of it working is invaluable!!!

I have so much problems of egg eating in the winter when the eggs are used for games of football.

My coop is stationary so weight doesn't matter if it is double layers of plywood at different slopes..

Thanks. Great coop!!!

I like your nest box door too - your design doesn't get weighed down in heavy snow.

 

[gryeyes]

I'll take some pictures of the nest box open from outside, and of the inside. The nest pads are commercial nest pads, I bought them from FarmTek.
http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/prod1;ft1_poultry_equipment-ft1_egg_handling;4d7f4bc8.html
They have "directional" spikes that help the eggs roll in a specific direction. You don't use any other nest material in the box. The plastic nest pads are easy to clean, just whack them against something to get any stuck stuff off 'em. If they are too fouled, I replace 'em with spares I bought and then just hose down the dirty ones to use next time. In the nest box itself, the pads are not long enough to reach all the way back, so I cut one in half and "supplemented" each of the two sides with the cut pieces.

I used the plans developed by Opa, here on BYC. Search "rear rollaway nest boxes" here in BYC and you'll find a whole lot of pictures of various styles he's created. Also, if you PM him with your e-mail address and ask for the plans, he'll send 'em to you. I'd never built anything like it before (quite a bit more measurement critical than the coop!) and had to do some put together/take apart steps to get it right. (I am plans challenged.)

But it works! There's a 3 inch block of wood in the front of the nest box which holds up the "sitting floor" of the box for the roll angle. And a barrier at the back of each nest, stopping just high enough to let the eggs roll under it and away from the hens, into a little area where they sit until you lift the lid and gather 'em.

If I don't get pictures Friday evening, I'll get them Saturday and post them here.

 

[Desert Rooster]

it would be better to place it outside with the opening to the inside , that way you get more space inside the coop.

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
I'm not sure I understand... I gather eggs from the outside, with the hens getting into the nests from the inside....

 

[Desert Rooster]

Quote:

I'm not sure I understand... I gather eggs from the outside, with the hens getting into the nests from the inside....

thats what i meant to say

 

[wingsofglory]

Gryeyes - thank you so much!!!

I read two of Opa's threads, one for the double, and one for the six/nine nest box setup.

Very helpful - has measurements and everything.

What was most helpful was the experiences of people about how their chickens took to it. One thing to picture in my head, another to know just what will actually work for making the egg roll and not break, what it actually took to be out of reach and sight of the hen, etc.

Useful to know to start hens on the plastic nest pads.

Now my mind is going over how run a heat tape or some type of warmer under egg area to keep them from freezing in the winter!! If anyone has experience, let me know.