Nest box size?

[rosemarythyme]

Your initial box measurements sound good though I also like the idea of doing some boxes bigger and some smaller if you have giants and bantams.

How many chickens do you have (or plan on having?) 8 boxes is a lot so another option is going down to 6 and having all very wide boxes, but that depends on how large a flock you're aiming for.

 

[workindog]

If you didn't already start... we have 3 nest boxes. They are each about 14" wide. I have 6 hens. Lost one recently. Anyway, they almost always use just one nest. And it varies from day to day which one they use. Depending on how many chicks you have, you might not need that many nests. You might also try a group nest. That way they can share their favorite. Good luck.

Too late lmao
I have 15 hens im sure i could have done less but 8 seemed like it would be good for them and more appealing to the eyes (think symmetry) lol

 

[workindog]

Yeppers! I know that! I have one too.
My current Dobie is a 90# blue male named Ben. Here he is with his little sister, Fuji, and little brother, Skittles, the rat terrier mix. He was my dad's dog.
View attachment 1856479
Oh, I used chopped straw in my nest boxes. About a 4" thick layer.

Well i ended up using both lmao. Hay and wood chips. Hope they like their hodge podge lol i really did put my heart into it.

Your dobie and min pin are beautiful!!! And your dads dog is adorable!!!! Someday i plan on getting a german working lines Dobie. But not any time soon.. at my limit with dogs says out town rules (grrrr)

 

[workindog]

Ok so it went from this..
To this...

didn't have fake eggs so i used some real eggs but marked them so i know what ones NOT to eat once they start laying lol

Got some 16", 14" and 12" wide. So they have plenty of options lol

Yes i know ive been slacking with scoopin the coop out. was hoping to finish this earlier so i could do that but i ran out of time.

They werent too happy with me, i closed their sliding chicken door while working in there so i could keep the screen door open and not have to chase any escapees lol their sliding door is a piece of high density polyethylene (think large plastic cutting board) used that so there won't ever be any swelling/sliding issues.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Looking good!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Results look nice! Are you going to add a landing bar for the top row?

 

[workindog]

Looking good!

Awwwwww tank you

 

[workindog]

Results look nice! Are you going to add a landing bar for the top row?

Absolutely already have in mind how its gonna look. I plan on being like paul bunyan (lol) im gonna go hack down a tree about 3-4" thick at 55" long each. I know this type of perch wouldnt be good for their real perches in the winter due to their toes not being covered by their feathers but for their nest boxes it will be perfect and look a little more natural for them

 

[aart]

Those shelves are attached to wall?
They should be before you add that big hunking(kidding) log for a perch.
...and your roosts are higher than the top row of nests?

 

[workindog]

Those shelves are attached to wall?
They should be before you add that big hunking(kidding) log for a perch.
...and your roosts are higher than the top row of nests?

Lol @ hunkin.. it is indeed heavy.

I actually already have the piece. While at work today i saw this aside of someone's house and they said i could have it. We cut it in half and tossed it in the pick up. Score!

Yes the shelving frame was made out of 2x4s and they attached that to the 2x4s of the sheds frame. So its pretty solid