Nestbox question

[Stephine]

We are having the coop built for us by someone who actually knows how to do such things.
We have external nest boxes, 4 in one row and they just have 2x4s (set on the narrow side) dividing them. Is that sufficient or should I ask him to add plywood sides to divide the nests? I was surprised to see he built them like that.
Thanks!!

 

[Kmac1]

From what I have read on BYC the hens like a little privacy when laying or nesting so I would have them divided. See photo. Willie

 

[farmgirllvo]

Who many hens do you have?

 

[Stephine]

I have 14 - I hope - they are 10 and 9 weeks old

 

[ramsburgchicken]

Here's some of ours. We also recycled a covered kitty litter box, two large wash tubs, two recycling bins and the girls claimed a bag of shavings

as nesting boxes. We have 44 hens and 17 nesting boxes(including the bag of shavings..)

 

[aart]

We are having the coop built for us by someone who actually knows how to do such things.
We have external nest boxes, 4 in one row and they just have 2x4s (set on the narrow side) dividing them. Is that sufficient or should I ask him to add plywood sides to divide the nests? I was surprised to see he built them like that.
Thanks!!

Do you have a pic?
Some folks successfully use 'community nests' (space for multiple nests) with no dividers, I prefer dividers.

 

[ramsburgchicken]

Do you have a pic?
Some folks successfully use 'community nests' (space for multiple nests) with no dividers, I prefer dividers.

^^^^ this is worth a shot. Was horrible for us though. Silkies attacked each other. When we hatched chicks, we had a girl get off her nest to go attack another hen and then turn and attack her chick! It caused complete chaos to the point where hubby had to modify nesting area after dark.

Guess it depends what breed(s) you have? We still have issues with our RIRs and BRs occasionally messing with the silkies with the boxes the way they are now. Wouldn't recommend it with a flock of commingled sizes like we have.

 

[Stephine]

Here's a picture (the coop is still being finished...) sorry, I only have a picture as part of our silly chicken news we send out to family...

 

[HaloAmanda]

Here's a picture (the coop is still being finished...) sorry, I only have a picture as part of our silly chicken news we send out to family...

Does the outside part open for outside access to the eggs?

He's doing a beautiful job but I would try to close them in somehow. They are quite open and I think 4 boxes is on the low end for the amount of chickens.

 

[aart]

That's a nice looking coop, very interesting construction.
Is that cupola open for ventilation?

The nests....could work fine, might want to wait and see and modify later if you have the skills.
They are kind of open, but many folks have open nests like that.
Hard to know the size of each 'nest' from the pics.......is this being built at your place or off site and will be delivered when done?