New nest box. What do you think?

[aberfitch]

i know!!! i want it so bad but its plastic!!!! i have made nests out of milk crates, wood, buckets flowerpots, and filled it with straw but my girls just drop eggs in the grass, sand, leaves but never in the nest boxes I make them. I don't get it. any suggestions?

 

[Kitchenella]

I also use a cardboard box. I have it on its side and taped up a lip all around to keep in the paper litter strips I use and make it more 'private'.

You can see it in this picture.

I 've been using the same box for 5 months now and its still clean. I have since put another box on top that is open at the top and only about 6" deep. My 3 hens usually use the bottom one but occasionally I find an egg in the top box.

Cheap and easy to replace if it ever gets dirty.

MY original plan was to put it on a shelf so it would be up higher. While I was working on figuring out how to attach the shelf I stuck the box in that corner. My one hen that was laying at the time started using it so I just left it there.

 

[allaboutdemchicks]

And you used the golf ball or ceramic egg? I've had about 16 hens begin laying over the last few weeks and with the ceramic egg in the nest boxes everyone knew what to do!! Good girls! Also, I don't let mine free-range until the afternoon when I think most have layed.

 

[aberfitch]

humm good idea about not letting them out untill afternoon. I am building a new coop tomorow and I am thinking letting them out later or only on specific days.

 

[first time farmer]

i think its cool but i wouldnt pay that much lol

 

[redoak]

unique but expensive.

 

[RendonRoo]

Looks like an expensive version of laying a 5 gal. bucket on it's side. Not as pretty but buckets cost nothing and i understand the hens aren't inpressed with looks.

 

[Sissy]

Too much money....
I ,made nest boxes from square cat litter pails ,
lasting a long time.

I installed 4 hooks so that they are 12 inches
off of the floor and easy to unhook for cleaning.
check out the tidy cat pails of litter at the market.

 

[mmtillman]

I agree...way too much $ for something your hens might not even use. I have seen much nicer and more original nesting boxes made of just old recycled scrap lumber most people have laying around the garage.

 

[al6517]

Does not look very big, I wonder about the hen being able to do her circle dance while ducking her head the whole time. way to pricey for a novelty box, cut the lid of a 5 gal bucket in half and lay it on it's side, if they use it great. but if you are looking for a trendy/fad that is too pricey, go for that one that looks like a car muffler.

AL