Nesting box lid

[morf2540]

Does anyone have good photos or a detail for how to properly construct an exterior nesting box lid? I can't quite figure out how to do it so that rain doesn't leak in at the top edge where the hinges are. Thanks !

 

[Hokum Coco]

A piece of canvas, rubber inner tube, any material flexible and water proof the length of your nest box nailed from the inside the sheathing to the exterior wall in question "L" shaped. The long side of the "L" is nailed inside The other leg of the L draped over the crack and the lid slightly slope away from the hinged area. You will need a small gap at the top of your nest box to let the material protrude and do it's job (about ¼ of an inch).

 

[4 the Birds]

Someone may jump in with specifics with a build but what I did was to build an "L" ledge on the back of the box and hinge the lid to the top of the "L". I then calked the back ledge well so rain water will run off to the sides. Hard to tell from the below photo but the box is air tight from drafts and the lid has weather stripping where the lid meets the box. My coop is not insulated but the nest box has rigid insulation in the lid and all sides. The lid flips up and stays up against the coop as I collect eggs. I went the "extra mile" on these so that the hens have very comfortable and well made nest boxes. They reward us with many eggs daily!

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Does anyone have good photos or a detail for how to properly construct an exterior nesting box lid? I can't quite figure out how to do it so that rain doesn't leak in at the top edge where the hinges are. Thanks !

The SMART way to do it would be to put the door on the FRONT instead of on TOP, and allow enough roof overhang for water to run off.

You can also cover the joint with a flexible/movable sheild that diverts water away from teh joint

Building an awning over the boxes can often help

 

[Primo]

Just put a strip of foam weather stripping along the back side of the lid where it hinges and meets the coop. It will compress down and work just fine (as long as you are latching the lid when closed

 

[morf2540]

Thanks everyone, good ideas. I am borrowing from everyone. I found 6" wide strips of neoprene at Grainger's for $5, so I got a couple of those. So I will lap that over the crack, plus use some weather stripping. I may even out up a trim board above the lid as a sort of eave. Should be gone. I will post a pic when it's made. I am planning three hinged openings for my coop. One for the nesting boxes, one for the food/water area, and one big tilt-up wall to provide super duper daytime air flow. Hopefully my carpentry skills (or lack of) can measure up.