Nesting Boxes inside or outside?

[debid]

That is a benefit I had not thought of.  My DIL has offered to watch the chickens when are away, but she is scared to death of going in the coop. She can feed, water and collect eggs without going inside.

That's what I found -- non-chicken people are afraid of all sorts of things. Fear of "chickens escape and then what?" ranks pretty high. If you eliminate that, they're happy to fetch a free breakfast. Besides, having the option doesn't mean you have to use it but it's generally easier to build options in than add them later.

 

[ECBW]

My objective is being able to service the coop without stepping into it. So there is an access door to the nests. The nests happened to be inside because it is easier to build and weatherproof.

 

[davep763]

I notice a lot of nest boxes have some type of barrier on the inside (2 x 4) of the nest box, why? Is it to keep the straw of the nesting boxes in the boxes instead of on the coop floor? or to delineate coop from nesting box? Do I absolutely need it?

 

[4 the Birds]

I notice a lot of nest boxes have some type of barrier on the inside (2 x 4) of the nest box, why? Is it to keep the straw of the nesting boxes in the boxes instead of on the coop floor? or to delineate coop from nesting box? Do I absolutely need it?

Keeps bedding in the box and the eggs from rolling out! Also helps the hen get in and out.

 

[debid]

I notice a lot of nest boxes have some type of barrier on the inside (2 x 4) of the nest box, why?  Is it to keep the straw of the nesting boxes in the boxes instead of on the coop floor?  or to delineate coop from nesting box?  Do I absolutely need it?

It's to keep nesting material in and eggs from being knocked out. Depending on height, it can also be a handy spot for them to hop before walking into the box.

 

[davep763]

Great, thanks for your answers!

 

[Brookliner]

We have so many predators. Mine are inside. They are plastic vegetable bins with lids. I wanted as few openings in the coop as possible to keep the predators out. Also I can wash the nest boxes easily.

 

[Chickens R Us]

Right now I have inside nest boxes which are okay for me but my DH will not step foot inside the coop because of the rooster so I had a few eggs freeze this winter. I work day shift and not all the hens lay before I go to work. We have a big shed we are converting 1/2 into a coop (because of chicken math) and I want outside nest boxes for my DH , they will still be in the building but outside the coop. I go in the coop everyday to clean the poop deck and give fresh water so I can do a head count everyday.

 

[Weasleymum]

Having the nest boxes inside subtracts that much space from the square footage of floor space available to the birds. That doesn't matter much in a big, roomy coop, but when you're trying to get as much utility from as little space as possible, every square foot counts! I am about to build a 4' by 5' coop to house 5 hens, which gives them the recommended four-square-feet-per-bird. Putting in a few 14"-square nest boxes would diminish that space, so the nests will hang off the side. This matters mostly because I live in a busy, urban area and can't be building a barn in my backyard! If I were out in the country, I *would* build a barn, and keep the nest boxes inside. It all depends on what your circumstances are, and what's most important!

 

[DuginMT]

Weasleymum, I agree with you on the very small coops. However, if your coop is 3.5' tall or more you can elevate the nesting boxes off the floor and you don't lose floor space for your chicks to walk around on. Interior nesting boxes will stay warmer during the winter months because they will get more heat from the other chickens inside the coop. I elevated my nesting boxes 16" off the floor of my recently completed coop as I wanted all of the 48 SF floor space available for my dozen chicks. Provided the nesting boxes with a perch so they can flap up there and inspect where they will lay their next perfect egg. Hope it works!

Doug
Here are the four nesting boxes, elevated 16" off the floor, before I put my plywood on the outside. They are 16" long X 11" wide with almost 2' of headroom under the sloped cover. Left a gap above the sloped cover for ventilation. I used some repurposed cove molding for the front perch.

Here is my coop finished and painted. The four openings on the left are my egg collection holes.