Nest Boxes: is this a good one??

[jazzchicken]

I was looking for nest boxes and I was wondering if the hens would like this kind of nest box.


http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/product/single_nest.html

Thanks!

 

[LoneCowboy]

How many chickens are going to use it? They just seem so expensive. I just built this one yesterday it's my prototype for ones I'm going to make to sell at the feed store and maybe on Craigslist. But I'm only thinking of maybe selling them for $25. McMurray's has a wood one similar to mine but the top doesn't open, for about $39

 

[jazzchicken]

I saw where they had that NestBox, and I think I will just build my own. My dad waants to buy them because we don't have a way to cut the wood and putting it together. I was looking online for some that would be big enough for Barred Rocks, because they say they need bigger nests because of their size, and Mcmurray has them for 150 bucks!! We would be better off building one.

 

[JudyMcKinn]

You can use a 5 gallon bucket laying on it's side, with a board about 3 inches high and perhaps a foot long, tied to the front bottom edge of it, so it doesn't roll, and to keep in the hay or shavings. Or a crate of any kind. Basket or cardboard box. They aren't particular. If you use the box or crate, it doesn't need to have a top. They will just hop in, lay their egg, and hop out. The box can sit on the floor--it isn't necessary for it to be mounted on the wall.
From there, you can go on in different steps working up to a quite elaborate nest, like the McMurray one, but I find the above suggestions to work quite well, if you don't have a huge income.

 

[halo]

Ive seen people use milk crates turned on their sides, which seems to work quite well. I dont have access to any, unless I go check out behind some supermarkets and see if they have tossed any out. If not, I think Walmart has plastic storage boxes for very very reasonable that would do well turned on their side. Since they are plastic I would think they would clean easily too.

 

[lyndatu]

Cool nesting box.......

Yes, I think your chickens will love it. But be careful if you are low on money. If you can't afford it, you can make your own and copy the design. It's fun making something of your own!

 

[aran]

nice job mate...i spent a weekend making really nice hang on the outside of the coop nesting boxes at a good height for my boy to be able to get at the eggs and not ONE OF THE darn CHICKENS WILL LAY IN THERE! They happily lay in the middle of the coop floor, on the ground under the coop, in the food containers but NOT IN THE NESTING BOXES! Save your money and buy more bedding because they dig a nest and lay whereever!

 

[gritsar]

What about the covered cat litter boxes made of plastic? Not real expensive and if you don't need a top, wouldn't a regular cat litter pan work just as well if you don't have access to milk crates, etc?