No Frills Nest Boxes - PICS

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

2txmedics -

That is an awesome find. Looks like it was made to be nest boxes.

Tickbait -

I've seen posts on here where people cut the buckets in half. The thing I wouldn't like about that would be the hens being right next to each other while laying. Mine will growl if another hen gets too close when they are laying.

And I would think that the round bucket with top intact would keep the hens off because they would slide.

My roost is higher, so I don't have any problems with the hens getting up on mine.

Great ideas being shared here.

 

[mountainchick5]

Sweet Cheeks, I used your idea of the stock tank on it's side! Thanks! Our babies are out of the stock tank we were using as a brooder and in the coop with the big girls. I turned the tank on it's side and I have 3 crates for nest boxes on their sides as well. The funny thing is, I put shavings in it this morning and who got in first and made a nest?!--Edward the rooster!!

 

[GardeNerd]

I use kitty litter boxes for my nest boxes too. I have two in the coop, but they all prefer to use the same one, even sometimes together. There is basically a shelf under the roost with the cat boxes on top and shavings in that. Works great, just not "cute," but the chickens don't care.

 

[krakkerz88]

So many possibilities with so many ideas.

I came across several old dairy water cups/bowls. Am going to be bolting them to a 2x4, then to the wall of the coop. I already have a Super broody hen that latched onto one I set aside. Can't get it back, she won't let me have it! So I just picked her and the bowl up and put them in a safe place. I love everyone's nestbox ideas!

 

[Sissy]

Great ideas
I use the cat litter pails. with the carring handles easy to clean when necessary and desinfect.
they have their own curb LoL
keeps the eggs from rolling out.

 

[60ACRES]

I spent 3 hours building my first nesting boxes on Saturday. They almost look professionally built... but they scared my girls and they will not even go to that side of the coop now.

 

[2txmedics]

How funny...give them time, its something new to them...they have to "watch it"...also might help if you put a golf ball in the nest or fake egg....ping pong ball...etc...I used a hard boil egg...for a few days, now they lay in all the boxes...good luck....

 

[jkmiller826]

wine boxes? how classy! I'm building my coop soon and I'll scout out the borgeois nesting boxes.

 

[valreegrl]

We are using a milk crate for our 4 ladies.
Hubby cut the top off and hung it under our egg door. Now, I can open the door, reach in and pull the eggs out. (IF we had any yet!)

Friends of ours used kitty litter pails also.
They work awesome!

 

[2txmedics]

Ok, I have a few milk crates, and one that looks like a shelf bin, plastic made out of the same material...but when the hens try to go in, they tip over, how are you all anchoring them down????

I havent used my new find as of yet....thats for the newer coop we're gonna make...shhhh, honey doesnt know yet...its a "surprise"....