Nesting Box Dilemma

[TheBeardie]

I think I'll cut out the lid for easy cleaning. I haven't done it yet so I drew it on this old 5 gallon bucket. I love 5 gallon buckets! I have 2 bucket nipple waterers, one is automatic with a toilet valve kit in it that's been tapped into some pvc under the house

The small self.

A close up.

The oven.

I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it up right or put it on its side.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Mine is built of plywood and a bit of scrap wood. Each cubby is roughly 15" and sloped to 24" tall to keep the chickens from sitting on the lid. It's not attached to the coop... the hinged lid (I really wanted to be able to open it from the top) holds the boxes in place against the wall, though of course the lid could be screwed down in place instead. I have 7 chickens but built for up to a max of 12.

 

[Chickassan]

Mine lay in cat carriers that sit on the coop floor. Two carriers for ten hens.
I took the wire doors off and stored them.
In a pinch I can put the doors back if I need a carrier or if I need to seperate someone.
They are plastic so easy clean, and have a handle so easy to move too.

 

[Jules929]

I currently have a kitty litter box (the covered type with the door flap removed) for my girls. If you have something like that, or a pet taxi, that will work. I have even seen some people use cardboard boxes. Whatever you choose to use needs to be stable. If it tips or moves around when they enter or exit they won't want to use it.

 

[mimipeaches]

I have 4 birds . One morning I found 3 eggs in one box. I have three boxes. They do use all of them especially if they lay are different times. Mostly they lay over night. The 2 SLW ( pullets ) lay anytime they feet like. I was just out there and one SLW is in the nest box. I'll go back out in a half hour so. Darn cold out there today. 6F -11F with wind chill. I went out to move SUV and shovel doorways while my friend was snowplowing. Got most of the snow off the top on my SUV supposed to be in the 30's on Wednesday so I'll wait for that. SUN tomorrow warm up my run. Chickens are hanging in the coop a lot today. Door not closed so they can go down stairs. I'm so glad I put the clear tarp up. Has grommets so drove long screws into frame to attach it. And I didn't even have to bank today. Not with 14-16' of snow around. How long til April.

My Roosters all have a frostbitten comb and this isn't even the worst weather that we are expecting this week so we put a tarp over the coop hoping that it helps. Wednesday-Next week is supposed to be in the negatives!!!! Do you have any recommendations as to how I am to keep them warm. We are scared that a heat lamp will fall or they will try to land on it so if there is another option please let me know!!!

 

[WindingRoad]

My Roosters all have a frostbitten comb and this isn't even the worst weather that we are expecting this week so we put a tarp over the coop hoping that it helps. Wednesday-Next week is supposed to be in the negatives!!!! Do you have any recommendations as to how I am to keep them warm. We are scared that a heat lamp will fall or they will try to land on it so if there is another option please let me know!!!

Keep them DRY they have a down coat on. Do you have good ventilation. Check the walls and ceiling of your coop if you can reach it. The walls should be dry. And NO DRAFTS. the quickest way you or I could get frostbitten fingers would be to go out in the wind with wet hands. Ever notice when you do strenous work outside. Shoveling etc. And you start to sweat under your layers. Evaporation from moist skin makes you cold. Keep them babies DRY...

 

[aart]

Click pic and use arrows for more:


Even More here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/please-post-pictures-of-your-creative-nesting-boxes.439890/

 

[R2elk]

I think I'll cut out the lid for easy cleaning. I haven't done it yet so I drew it on this old 5 gallon bucket. I love 5 gallon buckets! I have 2 bucket nipple waterers, one is automatic with a toilet valve kit in it that's been tapped into some pvc under the house

Rather than cut up the lid, I cut a piece of 3/8" plywood slightly wider than the bucket and high enough to allow entrance while holding in the bedding material and screwed it to the front of the bucket. It has the added advantage of preventing the bucket from rolling and the piece of plywood is much cheaper than a bucket lid is.

 

[gvlclay]

Mine lay in cat carriers that sit on the coop floor. Two carriers for ten hens.
I took the wire doors off and stored them.
In a pinch I can put the doors back if I need a carrier or if I need to seperate someone.
They are plastic so easy clean, and have a handle so easy to move too.View attachment 1649154

Innovative idea

 

[aart]

I cut a piece of 3/8" plywood slightly wider than the bucket and high enough to allow entrance while holding in the bedding material and screwed it to the front of the bucket.

@R2elk .... Got a pic?
Curious how you screwed to front(top) of bucket.
I screwed 'anti roll' to bottom(side).
they didn't like them tho....too small.