Roll Out Nest Box Mk3

[jthornton]

After seeing 3 pullets at a time in the roll out nest box Mk2 and seeing how short in depth it was at just 12" deep I started building a new one with a bit more height, a larger opening, more depth and more width.

One challenge was to make a top hinge lid that is water proof. I solved that on the Mk2 version but it was not easy for my wife to use so that idea went out the window then I quickly closed the window because it was cold outside. What I did was to leave a bit of a gap in the lid and put some peel and stick closed cell foam gasket in there. You can see it has enough compression to keep the lid slightly open, when latched it will be further compressed for what I feel will be a water tight seal.



I like what Gary @IdyllwildAcres did with his back curtain so they could not see the eggs once they passed that point so I incorporated that into the divider board. I also painted it black to match the curtain.



I wanted an easy way to lift the false floor so I found a dowel from a broom or something and put a collar on it and installed it below the floor. I had 2 pieces of car siding left over from building the house in 1998 so I made use of them to make the false floor.



JT

 

[Chullicken]

Looking good my friend. I assume its an egg roll out box? And what did you come up with to seal the lid hinge area? Or does that gasket make a seal all the way around? I struggle with that constantly.

 

[jthornton]

Looking good my friend. I assume its an egg roll out box? And what did you come up with to seal the lid hinge area? Or does that gasket make a seal all the way around? I struggle with that constantly.

Yes it's a roll out nest box that sits in the wall of my run so I can collect eggs outside.

Yes, the foam seal closes the gap between the door and the other board making a water proof joint. Here is a close up of the foam seal.



JT

 

[Chullicken]

Yes it's a roll out nest box that sits in the wall of my run so I can collect eggs outside.

Yes, the foam seal closes the gap between the door and the other board making a water proof joint. Here is a close up of the foam seal.

View attachment 1237745

JT

Fantastic idea, never thought of a 'roll out' nest box. Now with your modifications and such, will you add a seal around the box itself and where it fits into the coop wall? Not sure how much tolerance you need for expansion and all that and if you'd get a noticeable gap around it. Definitely something you should post up with blue prints.

 

[jthornton]

Here is the existing roll out nest box as you can see only the nest box needs protection from weather. The box is located in the wall of my run... I didn't understand chicken stack up when I built the coop originally. So this one comes out, I'll move the 2x4's around to fit the new larger box and I'm all set.



JT

 

[Chullicken]

Here is the existing roll out nest box as you can see only the nest box needs protection from weather. The box is located in the wall of my run... I didn't understand chicken stack up when I built the coop originally. So this one comes out, I'll move the 2x4's around to fit the new larger box and I'm all set.

View attachment 1238654

JT

Man, looks good with a well built run as well.

 

[jthornton]

I installed the Roll Out Nest Box Mk3 yesterday after all egg laying was done... well I waited till after my weekend nap then installed it lol. This morning all 9 used the box! I love the lid design, it works so well and it is quiet and water proof. They just hop over from the ramp to the roost boards and walk in. You can see one inside. I'd bet 4 can fit at one time.



JT

 

[jthornton]

And the outside...



JT

 

[jthornton]

This is the Raspberry Pi 3 camera I built today, the box is a tad big but not too small.

Camera mounted to box lid


Raspberry Pi 3 mounted to box lid


POE splitter stuck to lid with double stick foam tape, at this point the camera is done.


What the chickens see


JT

 

[jthornton]

The web interface with a view of my garage...

JT