Question...

[MyPerfectChicken]

I REALLY hope I'm putting this in the right spot.. because I couldn't figure out where else to put this!!

I live in Pennsylvania, and it gets C-O-L-D!! If you put the nesting boxes on the outside of the coop wouldn't the eggs freeze??

If I'm not making myself clear, just let me know!

 

[Stormhorse23]

Hmmm. I think so. I'd just put them on the inside. Makes things much easier!

 

[speckledhen]

I have several types of nestboxes, the exterior type included. My eggs didn't freeze, but I put a very thick layer of straw and basically pressed it up the sides and the back for a layer of insulation. I would think it depends on how often you collect them and how cold it really gets in your area. We get close to zero every winter here in the mountains.

 

[horsewishr]

Well, I'm glad you asked, because I was wondering the same thing. My nest box is outside the coop, too.

 

[greenmulberry]

I will let ya know if they do, we get negative teens at least once a winter and I have external nest boxes!

I am thinking not tho'. Since they come out hot, sit nestled in nice dried grass and shavings nest, and my chickens all lay in the same nest so I imagine that box gets it's share of warm buns during the day. My nest boxes are draft free, I did make sure of that.

If I have a frozen egg crises I this winter I will bump this thread up.

 

[redchicken]

I live in Pa too I would put them on the inside we usally have the eggs easily frozen in winter outside the coop and if the egg boxes are on the outside

 

[MyPerfectChicken]

Hmm... well thank you so so much for all your help!! I'm still not sure if I should put them on the inside or outside.. because I really want them on the outside but if it wont work... than thats alright.

Oh yeah, it snows straight to april where I live.

Any more imput would be great!!

 

[greenmulberry]

Well, I finally had some eggs freeze. I wasn't able to get them until 6 pm, and it had been hovering around 0 all day. I don't think the next boxes being outside made a bit of difference, as the inside of the coop gets wicked cold too when it gets that cold outside.

I made sure the nest boxes are insulated, draft free, and they have lots of shaving in them. I think it is just the way things are once it gets close to 0.

The weired thing is that we have had days like this before, and the eggs never froze. I think it might depend on how much time a hen spends sitting on them.

This is what eggs look like when they freeze.

 

[Wynette]

I have nest boxes on the outside of my coop like Cynthia's picture, although mine aren't as fancy(!)

Here they are during construction of the coop:

I use an astroturp-type material in the bottom of the nest boxes, and do not put anything on top of the 'turf. I've only had one egg freeze thus far. It was negative degrees before wind chill last week, and still only the one that froze. Interestingly, the one that froze was laid on the floor of my coop. My coop is pretty small (4x8), and it's only 4' high, so I think it gets fairly warm inside with having a dark brown shingled roof to absorb the sunshine (if we get any), and the heated waterer that I'm sure gives off some heat, as well.

 

[ebonykawai]

Are eggs not usable if they freeze?