Nesting boxes....how to make them?

[mommyoftwo]

Right now I have 5 hens and a roo. Planning on adding 6 or 7 more hens too. You all know how chicken math goes. How many boxes should I have. And know do I make them? I am looking for cheap or reusable items to use. Any ideas for me?

 

[hemet dennis]

 

[mommyoftwo]

I like this. How did you make it?

 

[Liberty Nursery]

I use cardboard boxes as nesting boxes, I figure they will have a short life but I can shred them and use them as bedding or brown compost and replace them cheap. I use a wooden frame I built from scrap wood that someone illegally dumped somewhere here in the city. Sounds a lot easier than it is though, The framing has to match the boxes and hold them in place. I bought some expensive boxes too.. from Uhaul. I wanted to make sure I could buy the exact same size in the future since I do not want to readjust the framing. Some uhaul places allow people to return used boxes so others can use them for free but the one local to me does not do that so I paid for new ones.

I am building a coop right now that will also act as a straw storage building and I figure I could stagger the stacked straw and make cubby holes that chickens could use as nesting areas.

 

[Ridgerunner]

For 12 hens, I’d suggest a minimum of three nests. You’ll probably find that most of them lay in one or two, but you want them to be able to lay in a nest in they want to instead of have to go searching for a nest site. Nests can be inexpensive and easy if you allow them to be. This is something where it is better to have one that you don’t need than not have one that you do need.

There are several threads on here like these that that show some of the things we do for nests. You can make them as simple or as complicated as you wish. We probably have as much variety in what we use for nests as what people use for coops. Your only limit is your imagination.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=41108

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=287684

In addition to all the tradition ways to build a nest box, some of the popular things to use, other than cardboard boxes, are cat litter boxes, the big buckets cat litter comes in, and plastic totes. These plastic totes might be the nests themselves or they may be used as easy to clean inserts that are easily removable. You can often pick up free 4 to 5 gallon buckets at a deli or bakery. Furniture is pretty popular to use. Take an old dresser and take the front of the drawers off in alternating row so you have a deep nest with a lip. Maybe take a bookshelf and fix that up. I saw a photo where someone used a kitchen sink.