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

 

[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.

 

[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

 

[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]

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]

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

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

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

Sometimes my eggs don't roll out all the way, too late to adjust the box but I am planning to put a few strips of cardboard under the carpet to increase the pitch, when I get to it... They mostly roll out

Gary

 

[Diannastarr]

VERY KOOL IDEA, saves the eggs from the egg eaters & seems easier to clean as well just pull the whole thing out and with the astroturf on the bottom it can be swept clean or hosed off & set out to dry in the sun ...! plus that would keep all the nest box bugs away for sure, excellent...!! im re fitting my nest boxes into this design...!!!

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I have since put a 2x4 in front of the openings (like a roost bar) since they were pooping all over my feed cans. Now the cans are tucked all the way under

Gary

 

[jthornton]

Gary, thanks for the photos.

This is the side view I'm thinking of making from some plywood I have. I'm going to design it so I can make fine adjustments after installing it. Thanks sharing your experiences.



JT