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Nesting box question

Discussion in 'Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance' started by chickenchok, Feb 21, 2009.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Feb 21, 2009 #1
    chickenchok

    chickenchok Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Sep 6, 2008
    North Carolina
    I've been reading that the nesting box should be 12X12X14"high. But it also says to put a lip on it and an angled roof. So does the opening have to be 12" for a standard hen? Or can it be a little less, as long as inside dimensions are as noted above?

    Thank you!
    p.s. Our largest pullets are a black astralorp and Wyandottes.
     
  3. Feb 21, 2009 #2
    andy

    andy Chillin' With My Peeps

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    May 7, 2007
    grimsby,,,{England}
    the measurements you gave sound good,, the slopping roof is so they dont perch on it and poop every where lol
     
  5. Feb 21, 2009 #3
    digitS'

    digitS' Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Dec 12, 2007
    ID/WA border
    My Australorps and Barred Rocks are comfortable with an 8"W x 12"T pop door altho' it is just a wee bit tight. So, the opening for a nest box should be just fine smaller than 12 by 12, to my way of thinking.

    Honestly, they would squeeze thru a door 6 by 6 if they wanted to. As you suggest, the inside dimensions of the box would be more important. I suggest that for the interior, you don't go any smaller than 12 x 12, however.

    Steve
     
  7. Feb 21, 2009 #4
    chickenchok

    chickenchok Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Sep 6, 2008
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    Thank you for your replies... very helpful. We were making it today when these questions came up... whew! luckily we did it right based on your replies [​IMG]
     
  9. Feb 21, 2009 #5
    11langenkamp_w

    11langenkamp_w Chillin' With My Peeps

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    sidney, ohio
    I just use apple crats and set them on the ground and also hang them up and they work just fine.
     

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