Hello all, I've always wanted to have chickens but was never allowed to till now. So I have a 32' steel building with a 6ft chain link fence running alongside 5 ft away. I decide that I am gonna block both ends with a chain link gate and make me a chicken coop. So when it was 3/4 done I thought I would go to craigslist and start getting an idea of how much they cost. So 1 mile down the road a guys got 2 - 1 year old Barred Rocks hen and rooster for 10 bucks a piece. So I knew enough that that deal had to get got, but I've have had them in an ex large dog carrier for 2 nights now, and the coop will be finished in a couple hours time, but I have no nesting box, or time to make a fancy one. Can someone tell me how to rig a quick easy temporary nesting box? Thanks
Well you could get a cardboard box, seal it up then cut a square in the side, chuck some hay in there then there's a nesting box. Make sure the box is big enough for the chicken to stand up and move around, same with the square cut, your chicken has to be able to get in there.
Don't stress to much, they often don't lay for a few days after moving. I have one hen that I've had for 2 weeks and still no eggs :/ Even the dog carrier would make a good temporary nest box
Welcome to BYC! We're glad to have you. The other posters have given you some good advice. I suspect that they won't lay for a while because of the stress of moving, however. One thing to be concerned about is that you have two hens and a rooster- ideally, each rooster should have at least 8 hens. Otherwise, the hens can get overmated and tired. You may want to think about getting more hens, or getting rid of the rooster.
X 2 As for the nesting box - those are more for human convenience than anything else. Hens can and will find and make a nest anywhere they wish if/when they need to lay an egg. The use of nesting boxes is a way for us to get them to leave the eggs in a place where we are easily able to find and gather them. What I'm getting at is that not having a nest box right now is not a big deal and, as suggested above, very easy to overcome with items you likely already have around the place or easy access to get them at little to no cost.
Wow Thanks for All the kind responses already! Yes that is the plan I am gonna keep my rooster then get all the hens that I can and go into mass egg production for free dog food too, I read eggs are good for dogs and so are potatoes? What do you give a chicken for a treat, what is their favorite things to eat like an apple to a horse? My rooster is a real sweetie, since the first day he coos and clucks softly to me every time I go near, I just love that, chickens are so cool! Some more advice I need, I am trying to set up like a mini poultry farm and give my neighbors eggs as well, but since my coop is so long and skinny, what do you think I should make my nesting boxes out of and how shoul I arrange them. It is in a spot where wood will rot out fast, all shade and high humidity. I heard something about milk crates? I put straw in one of these mini ones here I will go take a picture of then come back and post, I guess this tray is not deep enough? I could cut the bottom out of one and stack to. I would like to go high up the wall, and not have to bend down grabbing eggs, but they say 18" to 20" over that is it too high. How high can I go with nesting boxes and do they all need ramps to them? I Have been in HUGE poultry farms and they have 3 chickens each, in 3 ft square cages, (pathetic) and I cannot remember if they are stacked 2 or 3 high. I'm not gonna be mean to them, I have a one acre yard, and would like to free range them, but I have a HUGE Red-Shouldered Hawk problem, there nest is right across the street! And they have already carried off two Chihuahua's unfortunately. I heard making an open run just concentrated the prey in one spot and makes it easier for the predators? I'll go take some pics now. Once again thanks for all your kind responses, LOVE this website and having chickens, I'm gonna be a lifer! Getting addicted already!!
Welcome to Backyard chickens. If you had an enclosed outdoor run for you birds, even a top of deer netting will keep the hawks from getting to them.
Hello there and welcome to BYC! I agree with the above posters. Most likely your birds will stop laying for a few weeks. The stress of the move can shut off their egg laying machines. As for treats, here is our treats chart of things you can give them and things you should never give them. Just remember, treats should compromise only 10% of the diet or what they can clean up once a day in 10 or so mins.....https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-treat-chart-the-best-treats-for-backyard-chickens Temporary nest boxes can be made from cardboard, however I would try not to start them laying in the run or outside, so keep them in the coop during the day and you can remove them in the evening and at night when the birds won't be laying. If your coop is small, use external nest boxes that hang outside of the coop. Simply cut a hole in your coop and attach the box from the inside or supports on the outside. This way you aren't taking up precious coop space. You can keep them near to the floor but always keep them lower than your roost bar. Speaking of roost bars, they don't have to be up all that high either. If you have a tiny coop, even a few inches off the floor will work. As long a they can roost on something. 2x4's with the 4 side up make excellent rooting bars. If you have a hawk living nearby, you will no doubt need to keep your birds in a sturdy run. Use hardware cloth only on all external surfaces. NEVER use chicken wire. I have had Hawks dive at my run with full force and thankfully I use hardware cloth! Hawks can dive right through chicken wire. If you do let your birds out, supervise them at all times. Even 30 to 60 mins a day will help greatly with mental health. Enjoy this new adventure you are on and we do welcome you to our flock!
We're glad you joined us! Good luck with your chickens! It certainly sounds like you're enjoying them.