Nest box Plans

[keeperofthechickens]

I have been looking around the web for nest box designs where you can pull out the bottom and clean.

I am thinking this was for pigeon nests. But would work for chickens too.

Anybody know what I am talking about?

 

[MTchick]

In concept, this should be extremely simple. If it was me, I'd reinforce the base of the back wall of a standard plywood nest box design with a 2x4 or something else sturdy. Then instead of just nailing the floor to the boxes, you'd mount the floor on hinges to that 2x4 and latch it in the front. It shouldn't require any significant modification of a typical box- just a little bite cut out of the divider walls to work around the 2x4.

Here is a side view of this idea. You'd open the box and the base would dump out the contents, allowing for rapid cleaning.

Hope that helps!

-MTchick

 

[allen wranch]

Cleaning a nest box really shouldn't be a problem. If you have pine shavings or other bedding, all you have to do is scoop it out and put some more in.

The birds should not be pooping in the nest, unless it is a little accident when they lay their eggs. If they are pooping in the nest, you need to discourage them from roosting in there. Nest boxes should only be for laying eggs.