Nesting box location

[dianefbarfield]

I'm sorry if thos is a stupid question and if it has been discussed but you all are so kind and I new at this. Do the Nesting boxes have to be in the actual coop or can they be in a sheltered place with the run? My coop is small but my run is huge. Also, do chickens lay only during the day?

 

[DobieLover]

I'm sorry if thos is a stupid question and if it has been discussed but you all are so kind and I new at this. Do the Nesting boxes have to be in the actual coop or can they be in a sheltered place with the run? My coop is small but my run is huge. Also, do chickens lay only during the day?

You can put them wherever is convenient for you and the birds. They should be sheltered from the elements.
Chickens lay during the day but you will occasionally get one dropped off the roost at night.
Do the birds have access to just go straight out to the run as soon as they come off the roost in the morning? Is the run predator proof? I will oftentimes go out to do morning chores at 6:30 to find several hens already in the nest boxes.

 

[dianefbarfield]

You can put them wherever is convenient for you and the birds. They should be sheltered from the elements.
Chickens lay during the day but you will occasionally get one dropped off the roost at night.
Do the birds have access to just go straight out to the run as soon as they come off the roost in the morning? Is the run predator proof? I will oftentimes go out to do morning chores at 6:30 to find several hens already in the nest boxes.

We thought the run was predator proof but a dog climbed in and killed my flock. Starting over with more reinforced hardware cloth, taller fence and electric. As predator proof as I can get it. I have a sheltered area behind the coop that is covered from all the elements. I think it would be a cozy, safe place for Nesting boxes. We are weeks away from eggs yet. Thank you.

 

[aart]

You could make the nests hanging off the exterior of coop, but with the entrances inside the coop.

 

[Rise722]

You could make the nests hanging off the exterior of coop, but with the entrances inside the coop.

Do you have a diagram of this concept?

 

[aart]

Do you have a diagram of this concept?

 

[3KillerBs]

Do you have a diagram of this concept?

This coop page of mine shows a lot of the structure:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-little-monitor-coop.76275/

I STRONGLY recommend a front drop-down opening rather than a top-lifting lid. The latter is very prone to leak along the hinge.