Nesting boxes

[Connie57]

Oh boy, Meep... i sure hope i don't get a case of chicken math like that! Lol 15 is more what I'm thinking. The coop should be big enough for 15-20.

 

[Connie57]

One more question to MeepBeep: Did you use deep or shallow dish pans for your nest boxes?

 

[MeepBeep]

One more question to MeepBeep: Did you use deep or shallow dish pans for your nest boxes?

I use extra large covered litter boxes...

 

[Braxton Brigade]

My nests are a mix of inside boxes with access doors on the outside.

 

[treefrogging]

Couple questions about nesting boxes as well..
Just got a hen yesterday that is already laying (my other five are too young still) - and didn't get a nesting box made for her yet. She laid one egg just on the ground in the coop, but is that bad that I don't have a box for her yet? How important is it? I can pull one together tonight.

What do you put in your nesting box? Do they poop in it usually?

 

[treefrogging]

One more question - we found the egg on the floor in the evening. Who knows how long it had been there (all day while we were at work?)...is it still okay to eat if we grabbed it when we saw it and put it right in the fridge? Do eggs "go bad" if they are out for a day in the heat?

Also, we are not sure but there's a CHANCE that egg could be fertilized, as we have roosters and hens. How do you know if they are or aren't? Still safe to eat? My husband thought if you put it in the fridge right away, it can "stop it" from becoming an embryo? Lol... not sure...

 

[Braxton Brigade]

Couple questions about nesting boxes as well..
Just got a hen yesterday that is already laying (my other five are too young still) - and didn't get a nesting box made for her yet. She laid one egg just on the ground in the coop, but is that bad that I don't have a box for her yet? How important is it? I can pull one together tonight.

What do you put in your nesting box? Do they poop in it usually?

If they poop in the nest boxes it is because they are roosting in them usually. So no they general don't mess up the boxes. You can used nearly anything as a nest, you can even use a bucket/container as long as she will fit. I personally wouldn't want to make her lay on the ground, it might brood a bad habit later on.

I think you could benefit from this site http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/01/facts-and-myths-about-fertile-eggs.html shr has many articles about egg storage and safety. This one might put your husband at ease haha.

 

[treefrogging]

If they poop in the nest boxes it is because they are roosting in them usually. So no they general don't mess up the boxes. You can used nearly anything as a nest, you can even use a bucket/container as long as she will fit. I personally wouldn't want to make her lay on the ground, it might brood a bad habit later on.

I think you could benefit from this site http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/01/facts-and-myths-about-fertile-eggs.html shr has many articles about egg storage and safety. This one might put your husband at ease haha.

Awesome, thanks so much for the info. I will definitely check out that site!!

 

[Little Fuzzy]

Yea you don't have to refrigerate eggs if you don't wash them. They are coated with an enzyme to prevent bacteria from getting inside and killing the baby bird. I think they are good for a month or so out on the counter if they are not washed.

 

[Braxton Brigade]

I keep my eggs on the counter in a plastic egg flat, the plastic can be put in the dish washer to be sanitized (which is helpful).

Eggs can be kept at room temp, about 72* F and below for around 21 days or maybe a little more.

Typical fridge temp is around 37-40* F which will keep your eggs fresh for 3-4 weeks.