Nesting Boxes

[jeridge]

I'm finally ready to gather up pallets to make my first coop. I'm planning on using concrete blocks to raise it off of the ground just a bit, but the floor will be dirt. I'm considering using eight pallets for the floor and walls four-pallets high. I'm thinking I'll need to get a couple of 2x4's to lay across the top to support the eight pallets for the roof, or I may just get some metal roofing. I'm hoping that by using pallets, the coop will be ventilated naturally.

I cannot figure out how to make the nesting boxes. I thought about just going inside the coop to gather the eggs, but with so many nesting boxes outside of coops, I figure I need to ask first. Does going in the coop bother the chickens, or is it just a matter of convenience?

I live in SC and am considering putting straw bales outside of the coop in the winter to make it cozy, any suggestions?

 

[ChicKat]

I'm finally ready to gather up pallets to make my first coop. I'm planning on using concrete blocks to raise it off of the ground just a bit, but the floor will be dirt. I'm considering using eight pallets for the floor and walls four-pallets high. I'm thinking I'll need to get a couple of 2x4's to lay across the top to support the eight pallets for the roof, or I may just get some metal roofing. I'm hoping that by using pallets, the coop will be ventilated naturally.

I cannot figure out how to make the nesting boxes. I thought about just going inside the coop to gather the eggs, but with so many nesting boxes outside of coops, I figure I need to ask first. Does going in the coop bother the chickens, or is it just a matter of convenience?

I live in SC and am considering putting straw bales outside of the coop in the winter to make it cozy, any suggestions?

outside egg gathering is convenient, quicker, easier, and I think can result in less poop on the treads of your shoes. I guess I remember in the olden days it was always go into the coop. So it is just probably a matter of how you want to manage your chicken keeping.

 

[Ilovemyduckies]

you could try using covered litter boxes/cat carriers. I've got tons of nesting boxes and the favorites seem to be the cat carriers, and the bottom of a dresser nesting box I have.

 

[Mehjr10]

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[Mehjr10]

Here is a link to my pallet coop and nest boxes/buckets, not the only solution here but it is working well.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/image/view/album/6213265/id/5120203/sort/display_order

 

[gale65]

For us it's convenience. The hens are almost always outside the coop anyway so going in wouldn't be a big deal. But being able to gather them from outside means I don't have to put my poopy chicken boots on and if the wind is blowing (like it usually is here) I don't have to worry about bedding blowing around and getting all over me when I open the coop door. I use excelsior mats in the nest boxes so there isn't a lot of swirling bedding (just what they drag in there).