Nesting boxes and roosts

[Joe19]

Ok so here are some pics. Before everybody fusses at me, cut me a little slack. It's my first go at this. I was looking at the coop and I think I can modify the roosting/nesting area fairly easy. I'm pretty sure they are pooping in the boxes not just scratching the poop in because my ceramic eggs have had poop on them before.

 

[Joe19]

 

[Joe19]

Sorry I haven't learned how to do more than one pic.

The area is about 40" square.

 

[Joe19]

 

[Ridgerunner]

This is a chicken forum, we are not fussing at you or picking on you, we’re pecking on you. Sorry, I’m weak and could not resist.

I don’t know how you’d go about it but is there some way you can raise those roosts? It looks like you have your access door right there so anything you out there will be right in the way. Maybe drop a support from the roof?

I’d also suggest (and I think this is more important) you put a cover over the nests to keep them from pooping in them from the higher roosts. And as someone said put a higher lip across the front to stop them from scratching trash in the nests. While I prefer an 8” high nest opening I have had full-sized hens use a nest opening 6” from the top of the lip to the bottom of the roof. I’d put the nest cover at least 12” above the bottom of the nest. Hens stand up when they lay the eggs and need a little head room.

 

[aart]

Man, there was someone who modified one of the coops sure wish I could link it now.

They raised the roosts 3-4" by putting stands off bottom at the access door.
And basically boxed in the nests by putting a wall up in front of them and cutting a nest entrance.
They also added a vent(covered with well attached 1/2" hardware cloth of course) above the pop door under over of the run roof.

 

[Joe19]

Thanks for the ideas. I'll let you guys know what I end up doing and post pics. My minds eye sees me extending the coop out a little more for an improved nesting area and also raising at least one of the roosting perches. But what my mind sees and what is practical are two different things sometimes.

 

[Joe19]

So are we saying that, as it is now, they probably would never lay in what's meant to be the nesting boxes now? What about enclosing the bottom area under the roost and putting boxes down there?

 

[lazy gardener]

So are we saying that, as it is now, they probably would never lay in what's meant to be the nesting boxes now? What about enclosing the bottom area under the roost and putting boxes down there?

Joe, if you could enlarge the coop to include the upper area of the run, that would give them double the coop space (if not more) while still allowing them to access the lower area for a run. Then you could build an attached run on as well. that just might solve all of your issues.

 

[Pstock44]

I'm a newbie but working on my 2nd coop. First one was only good for 3 or 4 birds. Going bigger now for 8-9 birds (heard it's called chicken math).
Anyway, can you attach a support board across the door opening and raise the roost boards higher above the floor? Then just put a cover over the top of your nest boxes. Would seem easier than doing a lot of rebuilding for now.

Sorry I haven't learned how to do more than one pic.

The area is about 40" square.