/ Register

Nest boxes that hens can't eat eggs?

Discussion in 'Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance' started by SuburbanChickFarmer, Jan 11, 2011.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Jan 11, 2011 #1
    SuburbanChickFarmer

    SuburbanChickFarmer Out Of The Brooder

    56
    0
    39
    Jul 22, 2008
    I am looking for plans or ideas for making nest boxes that once the hens lay, the eggs are out of reach! I have 11 hens and unless I am home, which is only weekends, I don't get any eggs because they have eaten them by the time I get off work! I figure if I can make nest boxes that separates them from their eggs, I might just get enough to make an omlet! Any ideas or plans?
     
  3. Jan 11, 2011 #2
    ChickensAreSweet

    ChickensAreSweet Heavenly Grains for Hens

    15,108
    551
    398
    Jun 8, 2010
    Pacific NW- where the Douglas Firs grow
    You can buy rollaway nest boxes- or have you decided for sure you are building them?
     
  5. Jan 11, 2011 #3
    sklr112

    sklr112 Out Of The Brooder

    97
    0
    39
    May 23, 2010
    Hmm, not sure. Maybe it would be easier to solve the problem as to why they are eating them. Did you try feeding them oyster shells for more calcium? As for the actual box... I'm thinking that maybe tilting the floor of the nest box so the eggs will roll back into the back of the box/separate compartment so they couldn't eat them. Im not sure. Maybe more engineering is needed.
     
  7. Jan 11, 2011 #4
    midget_farms

    midget_farms Chillin' With My Peeps

    1,359
    8
    171
    Apr 15, 2008
    Dunlap Illinois
    Yes - the roll aways will work - its basically the same as a standard nest box except the floor is tilted back & there is a gap under the rear wall where the eggs will roll after the hen gets up. You place aritifical turf or some other smooth soft surface so the eggs can roll but not break.
     
  9. Jan 12, 2011 #5
    mgw

    mgw Chillin' With My Peeps

    1,392
    0
    139
    May 29, 2010
    Eastern Wa.
    There are some folks built on this site somewhere use the search tool. Can you get a neihbor or a freind to collect eggs for you during the week. Egg eating is a bad and near unbreakable habit.
     
  11. Jan 12, 2011 #6
    brounii

    brounii Chillin' With My Peeps

    177
    2
    109
    Aug 16, 2010
    Jonesborough, TN

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by