Nesting Boxes: inside or outside the coop, and coop floor space

[wifeoferp]

Hi everyone-

We are in the final stages of designing our coop. I have a question about the nesting boxes. We live a little west of Boston, and I am wondering:

1 - Will the chickens get too chilly in the nesting boxes in the winter time if the boxes are attached to the outside of the coop, rather than being on the inside. (We are not planning on insulation or a heat lamp, etc...)

2 - We are planning a 4x6 coop floor for six chickens, but if the next boxes are on the inside, should we enlarge the floor space?

Thanks!

 

[nbenevento]

The next boxes are typically 18" or so above the floor so you will not lose any floor space. Put the boxes on the inside of the coop. Hens like to lay eggs in private plus if the eggs are outside, it is fair game to other animals. They also will not like to lay the eggs outside in the winter if they do continue to lay in the winter.

 

[wifeoferp]

When I say outside, I am meaning attached to the coop, where the hens have access from inside, but the nests are hanging off the edge of the coop, as opposed to them being on the inside. Does that make sense? I'm not sure how a predator would be able to get the eggs any easier for that set up than for them being inside. I see plenty of coops that way on the coops pages.

 

[nbenevento]

I understand now. To me, that is inside, so just a little misunderstanding. I think your good as is as long as you have enough roost space for them to sleep. Don't forget, if they are not old enough to lay yet, keep the nesting boxes closed off.

 

[Jakoda]

Just a suggestion, but why not go 4 x 8? Plywood comes in that size less cutting, no waste of the plywood.

I have my nesting boxes underneath my poop board perch, granted right now the inside chick area is 12 x 4. 5, and with a rebuild of our barn will double in size.

Since I'm doing a rebuild, my husband has built me a temp housing (we hve to gut the other), that is 4 x 8,
I am actually splitting it because I also have baby chicks that will need to be separated..So basically my 9 adult chickens will have a 4 x 6 area, and my 6 chicks 2 x 4 ..this is inside my 12 x 20+ run..

Anyhow, the 4 x 6 area seems big enough for my 9, as temp housing, but not long term..

You always want to build bigger if you can, you won't regret it

I'll try and get some pics of my 'temp' housing..

Below, is a picture of the 8 foot nest/poop board/perch that we've built for the rebuild of our barn.


Obviously the perch is not attached yet

Now this pic below, is what we did prior to storm sandy smashing everything up and prior to my first chickens


The nesting boxes jutted out into the inside of my barn.so gave more floor room..this all has to be gutted because behind that wall, everything smashed flat in the storm.

Good luck with your build! I got all my ideas from this forum

 

[Jakoda]

ooops forgot to add, I like my boxes INSIDE, I think having them jutted outside the structure, may be kinda cold, we had a COLD winter here in CT

 

[wifeoferp]

Thanks Jakoda- good point about the plywood, I have thought about that myself, but we are wanting to side the coop with siding that matches our house, and with the roof, etc... it all adds up the larger you go!

Thanks for the pics! They helped immensely.

Ginger