Nesting box ideas

[Col1948]

I recently converted a shed to make a bigger coop, I made nest boxes out of the plastic buckets, but the first day of the new coop I could see one of the hens was desperate to lay, so in my desperation I got a cardboard box and put straw in and placed it on the ground.
She went in it and laid and egg, a couple of hours later another one laid in there too, I've since decided to get rid of the buckets and I've ordered some wooden boxes that I'm going to place not very high off the ground.

Col.

 

[aart]

Or even better an oven

Brilliant!!

 

[Heffalump]

I'm thinking about nest boxes too. That's ruled 5 gallon buckets out. We built exterior nest boxes for our old small coop. My new coop is a shed though, so I can put something inside....

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'm thinking about nest boxes too. That's ruled 5 gallon buckets out. We built exterior nest boxes for our old small coop. My new coop is a shed though, so I can put something inside....

This is what I made, it's completely internal (which I had to factor into floor space calculations) since I didn't want to deal with cutting an opening in the shed, or opening an access door in the rain (which I was doing before, and did not like!) I used new plywood but scrap wood would work fine as well.



It looks like it's built into the wall but it's actually free standing and removable (in case I ever need to repair or clean). Only the slanted flip-open lid is attached to the studs, which also keeps the unit in place.

 

[aart]

It looks like it's built into the wall but it's actually free standing and removable (in case I ever need to repair or clean). Only the slanted flip-open lid is attached to the studs, which also keeps the unit in place.

Does bottom stay move/tip when lids are flipped up?
Just curious, why not put it higher to make floor space usable?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Does bottom stay move/tip when lids are flipped up?
Just curious, why not put it higher to make floor space usable?

The bottom stays put, it sits on skids made from scrap wood that are coated in Black Jack #57, so it doesn't slide at all, plus it sits up against the studs to add extra stability.

My previous egg box was set at ground level as well so I felt it was easier for the existing hens to walk in and out like they were used to. Also there's a window is just above where the nest box sits (you can barely see the beam that sits under the sill at the top of the photo) so that limited how high I could put nest boxes - and the only other spot that made sense for nest boxes also has a window above it. We ended up using the window location to our advantage, adding a latch on the window sill that sits at the perfect height to allow the the lid to be latched completely open in case that's needed for cleaning purposes.

 

[aart]

Also there's a window is just above where the nest box sits (you can barely see the beam that sits under the sill at the top of the photo) so that limited how high I could put nest boxes

Yep, saw the window sill, was thinking to move top of nest to there....but maybe you don't need more floor space, or want to put a perch on front of nests. No biggie, just curious. Sweet nest bank.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yep, saw the window sill, was thinking to move top of nest to there....but maybe you don't need more floor space, or want to put a perch on front of nests. No biggie, just curious. Sweet nest bank.

Floor space is always a good thing so I did take into account how ground level nest boxes would impact space. I built for a maximum of 12 birds (we have 7) with exactly 4 sq ft per bird of open floor space (even took into account 6" thick of walls + studs).

Hopefully this information helps others on deciding where and how to install nest boxes!

 

[Cindycon]

I'm using a fridge for my grow out pen. I flipped it on its side and took the door off. The chicks seem to take to it well.

Kijiji is the best isn't it? I've been quite disappointed with LetGo.

I love your pic of Lucy and of course I love coffee and chickens! I lived in Jamestown most of my life and Lucy's house was a block from where I worked! I'm retired now and fairly new with chickens but it's a great retirement hobby!

 

[BlueBaby]

So I just thought of something when looking on the "free stuff" on kijiji (online sales site, not sure if it's Canada only). And I kind a find it a hilarious option but what about getting a free fridge/freezer online, taking the doors off and lining the shelves? I feel like it would be really easy to clean and hilarious because... well... ultimately that's where the eggs will end up lol

Actually, my hen's are using a bottom veggie drawer as nesting boxes from an old refrigerator that my neighbor was about to toss out for trash.