No Frills Nest Boxes - PICS

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Thought I'd share pics of my nest boxes to show that they don't need to cost a lot of money or take months to design or build.

I took my banty brooder I built on a pallet and turned it on its side put in a divider down the middle, and added a lip to keep the aspin shavings in. I have 2-3 hens that like these two nest boxes.

For the others, I turned their stock tank brooder on it's side, stuck a couple horse water buckets under it to raise it up a little, and put in two cat litter boxes and other storage box I had on hand. 4-5 others like to use these boxes.

That's a total of 5 nest boxes for 8 hens and I'm so happy that they're all getting used. Up to 6 eggs per day for the last two days, 5 eggs per day for the last week. The first hen started laying July 9th at age 20 wks.

Banty brooder turned nest boxes

Stock tank brooder and tubs that can easily be removed and hosed down when needed.

After letting everyone out this morning, this BR went in and got comfy in the nest box. I went in the house to get my camera and came out to take a pic and she had just stood up after laying her egg.

 

[tcwk]

That's a great idea, its nice to see all the things people come up with, I turned a cupboard into a nest box for example. I love the pics of your BR.

 

[2txmedics]

ok, I was driving by and saw this box in someones trash...I know, its bad, but Im dead broke out on medical...and I saw this...thought nest box....I just need to bleach and clean it up....what do you all think??

its about 3 feet long, and each nest box would hold 3 large hens standing...its also deep, has a little ledge to hold the egg in from rolling. I also am using milk cartons and a plastic bin, but every time they step into them they turn over...how do I keep them from doing this...I notice you all have bins and they dont turn over.

 

[Violet22]

I would have picked that up if I saw it!!

Looks perfect to me!

 

[crtrlovr]

That's what I call a FIND! Grab that sucker b/f somebody else beats you to it!

Some of mine are nesting in an old dresser drawer and a former bookcase headboard for a waterbed.

 

[Riven]

Nest boxes on a budget?! FUN!!!

You can put a "front" on 5 gallon buckets and bolt them or even just tie them together with rope or what not ( make sure a chicken can't get stuck!) with a piece of 1x3 for a front ledge and violia... nest box stack!

Don't have buckets and don't want to pay? Check out local bakeries, burger joints and other places that get food in bulk! Everything from pickles to frosting comes in 5 gallon buckets to people who use these things in bulk!

 

[shelleyd2008]

Get buckets with the lids, and just cut a hole in the lid. Instant nest box

 

[CaliBlueChicken]

good post, I am on a VERY tight budget as well. I like the wash basin idea... thanks for posting your ideas everyone!

 

[tickbait]

I too am considering buckets for nesting buckets and I was wondering about cutting them in half so one bucket makes two nest or should I use the whole bucket per nest? Plus when the chicken stands, it would be on nest and not top of bucket. Less mess.

 

[Quillgirl]

I got lovely wooden wine boxes from the local liquor store and recycled them. They are the perfect size and have nice etchings on the ends. Very classy for the chooks!