Appalachickens
Songster
I decided to do a separate post on this since it is the most complicated part of the coop build. When I first joined BYC, there was a lovely man on here, Opa, who offered plans on building a roll-out nest box. I must have read that whole thread a dozen times. I made some modifications to the design when I started building to suit my coop. I've never built anything before all this, so it was quite an undertaking for me.
When my son framed the coop, I had him leave a 16" by 42" opening on the east side.
I built a little stand out of 2x4's to support the boxes on the inside. The stand is a foot high, but there will be a deep layer of bedding.
I built the internal boxes with a sloped roof at the back so they could slide in part-way and take up less space inside. Those back trays are long enough that a chicken shouldn't be able to reach under and get an egg that has rolled away.
We installed the external frame this weekend. I made the roof just like the coop roof - plywood coated in APOC roof sealant, a layer of underlayment, and metal roof panels I cut to fit. All that is left to do is put a bead of caulk along the furring strip that I used to attach step flashing. The hatch, which opens from the front, has raccoon-proof hasp latches with locking carabiners, and I added hooks and eyes to hold it tight to the frame to keep rain from getting in.
I didn't insulate the coop itself but I did put in foam board insulation underneath and foil bubble insulation on the hatch and sides to protect the eggs a bit from heat and cold. I added chains so the hatch won't flop all the way down. I also put in leftover scraps of foam pipe wrap to act as bumpers for the eggs.
Inside is the access to the egg boxes. I put in curtains, but those will be easily changeable if needed.
Each box has a ramp covered in soft artificial turf, and I'll throw a little bedding in there for coziness. I tested and eggs roll easily under the opening at the back. I also added a wooden egg in each one, attached by a hook and eye through a slit in the fake grass.
People have recommended a sloped board above the boxes to prevent chickens from roosting there, but it felt like a waste of precious space. So I built a shallow cabinet instead, which stops just short of the vents along the top of that wall.
Inside I'll keep coop related things like treats, PDZ, a grill brush for cleaning, and wasp spray since I've already had to dislodge 4 wasp nests in the coop and run. I'll be adding first aid items as well.
I am no carpenter, so it's not exactly a thing of beauty. But it seems solid and functional and I am excited to see how it works out. I like to think Opa would have approved of this effort.
I built a little stand out of 2x4's to support the boxes on the inside. The stand is a foot high, but there will be a deep layer of bedding.
I built the internal boxes with a sloped roof at the back so they could slide in part-way and take up less space inside. Those back trays are long enough that a chicken shouldn't be able to reach under and get an egg that has rolled away.
We installed the external frame this weekend. I made the roof just like the coop roof - plywood coated in APOC roof sealant, a layer of underlayment, and metal roof panels I cut to fit. All that is left to do is put a bead of caulk along the furring strip that I used to attach step flashing. The hatch, which opens from the front, has raccoon-proof hasp latches with locking carabiners, and I added hooks and eyes to hold it tight to the frame to keep rain from getting in.
I didn't insulate the coop itself but I did put in foam board insulation underneath and foil bubble insulation on the hatch and sides to protect the eggs a bit from heat and cold. I added chains so the hatch won't flop all the way down. I also put in leftover scraps of foam pipe wrap to act as bumpers for the eggs.
Inside is the access to the egg boxes. I put in curtains, but those will be easily changeable if needed.
Each box has a ramp covered in soft artificial turf, and I'll throw a little bedding in there for coziness. I tested and eggs roll easily under the opening at the back. I also added a wooden egg in each one, attached by a hook and eye through a slit in the fake grass.
People have recommended a sloped board above the boxes to prevent chickens from roosting there, but it felt like a waste of precious space. So I built a shallow cabinet instead, which stops just short of the vents along the top of that wall.
Inside I'll keep coop related things like treats, PDZ, a grill brush for cleaning, and wasp spray since I've already had to dislodge 4 wasp nests in the coop and run. I'll be adding first aid items as well.
I am no carpenter, so it's not exactly a thing of beauty. But it seems solid and functional and I am excited to see how it works out. I like to think Opa would have approved of this effort.
