Nestboxes- in or out?

[happyhens]

Which do you prefer, outside nestboxes or inside, and why? I am planning my small coop/tractor, and I'm just wanting some ideas for the nestbox. I am wondering if it is worth the extra building and time to build the nest boxes on the outside. Any advice or pictures?

 

[waynesgarden]

Inside for me. It helps prevent some freezing in the winter. I do have a small access door to the back of the nests so I don't have to go in the coop to collect eggs. If you put the nests a foot or more above the floor, the hens have room to walk below, helpful in a small coop.

Wayne

 

[happyhens]

Thanks for the reply. I hadn't though about the eggs freezing. Definately something to take into consideration!

 

[ghillie]

I could not afford the space inside so I put mine on the outside. Double walled - foam insulated and no problems of them freezing.

 

[steffpeck]

I am anxious to see other reply's to this. Our are inside right now, but I really want to move them to the outside but have worried about the freezing. We will have to build them with good insulation.

 

[ghillie]

 

[steffpeck]

Thank for the pictures!!

 

[bigredfeather]

Here are some pictures of mine.

Definatly like not having to go into the coop to get eggs.

 

[happyhens]

Thank for the pictures! They are very helpful. I think I will put the nestboxes on the outside, to not take up space in the coop. And it usually doesn't stay very cold in my area, there might be 2 months out of the year that I need to check for eggs several times a day to be sure that none freeze. Thanks all for your input.

 

[mjdtexan]

inside but able to get to them from the outside.