Nesting boxes question!

[bobandia]

Just getting into chickens. Have 16 babies and starting a coop. Wondering about the angle of the nesting box so the eggs roll out and are not damaged.

 

[3KillerBs]

I have no experience with roll-out nests but I wanted to say hello and welcome to BYC.

What kind of a coop are you building?

 

[aart]

Just getting into chickens. Have 16 babies and starting a coop. Wondering about the angle of the nesting box so the eggs roll out and are not damaged.

I would guess about 5-10°, but might be good to make floor adjustable and do some experimenting with angle and bumpers in collection trough.

 

[Lin B]

I too do not have experience with roll out boxes. My hens will have bottom nest with Bermuda grass. I have it set up so if one goes broody I won't have to move her. Their nesting boxes are under the poopdeck and roost. I hope someone is able to help with this. Still welcome to the group for you and your fluffy butts

 

[Acre4Me]

Some roll to the front. Some roll to the back. So, which way is most convenient?

We tried one design posted on here, but we had a few issues.

first, any bedding gets in the way of the eggs rolling into the reserve areas.

any trim or petite pullets/hens? Then you’ll likely find one or two that like the confined space of the egg area. Yes, we often had to remove a particular hen from the egg area.

so, considering previous point, make the access opening narrower.... then some eggs won’t go in. A determined (or scared or bullied) pullet/hen figures out a way to get in.

Somehow some water intruded and buckled the angled floor. It was still useable, but by then, the design had outlived its usefulness and we replaced the nest boxes with another design.

maybe when we can travel more once all kids leave home, we will revisit rollout nest boxes, but for now we went back to a more basic nest boxes.