Roll Out Nest Box

[jthornton]

I think the solution to my space problem is a roll out nest box like this one. Does anyone know the angle of the floor? Would fake grass work instead of the pads?

And yes I've seen the paint tray things and I'm using that.

Thanks
JT

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Pics as promised, and like I said hard to really see it. Thats one community box about 40" wide accessible from the outside. As you can see the carpet is pretty dense, they never bring in nesting material on their own and they have NEVER pooped in the box. I thought for sure I would be cleaning it once in a while all I do is pull out the carpet squares and knock off the feathers and wood chips that come in with the birds once and a while

 

[jthornton]

Got started on the RONB tonight. Got it framed up and ready for skin and door. Taking lots of photos. I did change from the drawing to make construction easier. I'll change the drawings to match as built.

Here are the two sides after cutting them using only a skill saw and a straight edge.


Putting in the bottom spreaders with pocket screws


The top spreaders attached with pocket screws as well


I'll probably staple the skin on dunno got to thing about that a bit. I might add some 1 by stock to the top to staple or screw the top on. Yea that sounds like a good idea.

JT

 

[azygous]

This is my favorite roll-out nest box design.

I love it because it allows you to quickly and cheaply adapt it to any existing nest box. It incorporates the astroturf grass.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

When I made mine I just played with the angle until it worked before I screwed it together. Its not that severe but I could not tell you the actual angle. I know I was going to get you pics i forgot, its hard to show well because its all assembled and the only good pic would be from the outside. I use dense commercial carpet squares, its not fluffy at all so the eggs roll well. I would think fake grass would work, just test the angel with an egg and the grass in place before screwing it in. If you start this way they will never know its "supposed" to have nesting material. Before they were laying I would carefully place wood eggs so they would not roll out, of course I was putting them back all the time because they would knock them around and they rolled out.

Gary

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I was wondering about the height of the gap that the eggs roll under?

JT

Here is a pic from the egg cam

Gary

 

[jthornton]

Got the bottom on and the chickens are all tucked in for the night, it's time for me to retire for the night as well. I put some 1" diameter holes near the front so I can push up the false floor to remove it for cleaning or whatever.



JT

 

[jthornton]

Here is a pic from the egg cam

Gary

Now I gotta get an egg cam...

JT

 

[jthornton]

This is my favorite roll-out nest box design. I love it because it allows you to quickly and cheaply adapt it to any existing nest box. It incorporates the astroturf grass.

I saw that video, I don't have an existing nest box so I have to start from scratch.

JT

 

[jthornton]

Ah I get it you placed the fake eggs in the nest box in view of the chicken to show them it's a safe place to lay. I have some ceramic brown eggs I can use.

I'll change my current design so I can adjust the floor as needed. Probably easier to make it like that anyway.

JT