I am reasonably sure this topic is not new, but did do a search and didn't find what I was looking for. and I do hope I'm posting in the right place!
What are the advantages/disadvantages of wood and metal nest boxes?
Before we sink money into buying or spend the hours making nest boxes, we'd like to hear from those who have preferences which they like and why?
We also live where temps can dip below zero degrees F for a few weeks in winter - would it be better for our hens to have wood instead of metal-- will that make much difference if our coop is insulated and heated with a red heat bulb to keep the water from freezing -- will it affect laying in winter if the nest boxes are metal and very cold (or will nesting material on the bottom be enough)?
Do the chickens seem to care one way or the other if they have both?
We have about 9 weeks until we have to worry about any of the pullets laying so this isn't an emergency decision and we can think it over pro/con.
I really appreciate your thoughts! Or, if you know where we can find this topic already discussed, if you can just give me the right link. I'd really appreciate that, too. Sometimes its just the matter of knowing the right wording for a subject. I'm probably not hitting it right in my searches.
Edited to add another 2 questions.
What are the advantages/disadvantages of wood and metal nest boxes?
Before we sink money into buying or spend the hours making nest boxes, we'd like to hear from those who have preferences which they like and why?
We also live where temps can dip below zero degrees F for a few weeks in winter - would it be better for our hens to have wood instead of metal-- will that make much difference if our coop is insulated and heated with a red heat bulb to keep the water from freezing -- will it affect laying in winter if the nest boxes are metal and very cold (or will nesting material on the bottom be enough)?
Do the chickens seem to care one way or the other if they have both?
We have about 9 weeks until we have to worry about any of the pullets laying so this isn't an emergency decision and we can think it over pro/con.
I really appreciate your thoughts! Or, if you know where we can find this topic already discussed, if you can just give me the right link. I'd really appreciate that, too. Sometimes its just the matter of knowing the right wording for a subject. I'm probably not hitting it right in my searches.
Edited to add another 2 questions.
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