Nesting box set up.

[NatJ]

Also they might prefer a top/lid.

I don't think you need an extra top on those nestboxes, considering that they are covered when the lid is closed.

Reaching the box near the coop could be a stretch. Could you reverse the door, so that it opens away from the nests?

I was just going to say the same thing

 

[Ryguy3684]

I Like it. The top opening has hydraulic assist. And the nest boxes are low enough to let kids assist gathering eggs. It looks pretty secure. One thought. Reaching the box near the coop could be a stretch. Could you reverse the door, so that it opens away from the nests?

I'm going to gather eggs from the top side. The door was for my 5 year year old. He wanted to crawl in to collect eggs.

 

[NatJ]

I'm going to gather eggs from the top side. The door was for my 5 year year old. He wanted to crawl in to collect eggs.

That top door/lid is hinged on the wrong side--you'll have to reach across the entire box to get the eggs in the farthest corner.

 

[City Farmer Jim]

Well thank you...you have made my Amazon trip much shorter. Wish I had thought of that when I built ours.

 

[Ryguy3684]

That top door/lid is hinged on the wrong side--you'll have to reach across the entire box to get the eggs in the farthest corner.

Gotcha. I thought you meant the little door. Yeah, I can reverse that.

 

[jreardon1918]

I'm going to gather eggs from the top side. The door was for my 5 year year old. He wanted to crawl in to collect eggs.

Kids collecting the eggs is the coolest. Reversing the door will make it a great event. Nice design. I just bought some hydraulic assists to help with our egg collection. Thank you for your post and clever design ideas.

 

[aart]

Is the lid sloped to shed rain when closed?
Might want a bit more overhand on the lid too.

 

[Ryguy3684]

Is the lid sloped to shed rain when closed?
Might want a bit more overhand on the lid too.

Yes, there's a 4" slope from back to front. I was thinking about the overhang last night. Thanks.

 

[CindyinSD]

It's not open to the the coop yet, because I didn't want the chicks hanging out in the boxes before they are ready to lay.

Oh, now that I see how it works, you don't need an additional cover for the boxes. The roof will be close enough. I ought to have realized that but the angle of the pic kind of confused me.

 

[Sarkchick]

I'm going to gather eggs from the top side. The door was for my 5 year year old. He wanted to crawl in to collect eggs.

Be sure to check for snakes before your 5 year old crawls inside. Great idea all the way around. At least once a week I find an egg out in the run. Putting a box like this may stop that.