poop free egg collection box simple easy step by step.

[foulman007]

When I first got chickens I couldn't keep my eggs clean . I set up multiple nest and the would all lay and roost in the boxes, crapping up my eggs. So this was what I did. and since I needed another set of boxes i thought I'd put up this design for all my BYC buddies.

I like to use pressure treated 2x4's for this project.
for my 2'x3' box (twin nests) cut the following
4 x 1' 2x4
2 X 3 ' 2x4
2 x 2' 2x4
1 x 1' 8 1/ 2" 2x4
1 x 2' 2x2

assemble as shown note the 3' pieces are inside the 2' ones keeps the depth to 2'

screw it together

add 1/2" hardware cloth I like the heaver gauge cause I got fat chickens.

staple it or fold over some nails on it and put the 2x2 down the center line for extra support

now here is the trick. adding the legs for the stand put a bit of backward angle to it so the eggs roll to the back.(offste about 1 1/2 " should do the trick)

now the privacy boxes (shy birds)
I set these back about 2 " or so to give them good access.
I bought the boxes from lowes they are 16x14 storage boxes.

this leaves about 10" in the back which can poke out of the chicken coop or put a door on it like i did makes for easy poop free collection
and I dont have to hover over the chickens to get the eggs right away.

they have been laying in these boxes for years and flock right to em.

 

[gmendoza]

Just make your roosts higher than your nesting boxes. ive never had poopy eggs.

 

[gale65]

thanks for the pictures! We need to make new nest boxes (ours are too small-probably about 9 or 10 inches square) and may have to try this.

 

[pawsplus]

Do they actually lay eggs in there?? I can't see mine wanting to lay on hardware cloth . . . That doesn't look at all comfy!

I put in a base of exploded pine pellets (same thing the coop bedding is) w/ a hay "nest" over that. They don't poop in the nesting box--why would they? I only clean it out a few times a year b/c it's always nice and clean.

 

[foulman007]

Quote:
yep for just about all their laying career you ever see an egg production plant? aint no fluffy nothing there.
besides its about the hiding and feeling secure not the fluff.

 

[pawsplus]

Quote:
Well, I don't use egg production plants as my model!

Glad it works for you!

I have just never had a hen poop in a nesting box, so I don't really see why it's necessary.

 

[tiki244]

TEhe (above post)

That is an interesting egg box, thanks for sharing that. I have some of those alien kitty litter boxes too.

 

[wingsofglory]

Thank you for posting this idea. I'm just about to build new nest boxes.

Mine always sit and throw out all the hay. Even lifting each piece of hay over a 5" tall board across the front.

I might try the hardware cloth. I was going to make roll-away nests too so this flock doesn't learn to eat eggs.

If an egg doesn't roll away and gets pecked open on the hardware cloth, it would drip down instead of being there for them to eat.

Mine have only occassionaly pooped in the nest, usually when I've been too lazy to look first, and yech!!

 

[foulman007]

Quote:
Well, I don't use egg production plants as my model!

Glad it works for you!

I have just never had a hen poop in a nesting box, so I don't really see why it's necessary.

Wow you make me feel like sharing a bit more Not. Just cause something works for your 2 chickens made for a big crappy mess for when I had 12 layers. You seem to be a real downer Just assume anything I post in the future Is not for you and avoid reading it ok.

 

[pawsplus]

Um . . . huh? I'm interested that your birds poop in their nest boxes b/c I have never seen that. Another responder also reports not having had that occur. Why would that happen??