Roll out nests - do you ever have eggs crack from rolling onto each other?

[gale65]

We are thinking out converting our nests to roll out style but I am worried that if a chicken lays and egg and it rolls to the back, the next egg laid will roll right into it and break one or both. Do they roll that fast? I was thinking of about a 2:14 pitch.

 

[Oneacre Homestead]

Hi, I made a roll out nest box- I set up a piece plywood and experimented with different slopes. I found the best rise to be four inches high for my sloped side being 30 inches total( box and roll out part). That's about what you were thinking if I understood. You have to make the part where the eggs go bigger than you would think or the hens try to get the eggs. Mine is 18 in

 

[gale65]

I don't have that much room. Right now we're using bins in the nest boxes and there is 4-5 inches available behind the bins. But our hens don't bother the eggs. I just want the roll-out because they step all over them with their dirty little feet.

 

[afveteran88]

I put some pipe insulation where the eggs roll to to prevent them from breaking. I have never had a problem. I love being able to go get eggs and not have to walk in the coop. My wife hates it when I track chicken **** in the house.

 

[Oneacre Homestead]

Hi again,
Before i had a roll out nest, My eggs used to be dirty a lot and Someone said I should try changing the nest bedding more. First I said, "my nests aren't dirty!"
They didn't look that dirty, anyway. Then I decided to try it and I got some cedar shavings and dumped them every other day and WOW what a difference. If your hens are not bothering the eggs, I would try that first. Much easier.

 

[Oneacre Homestead]

Oh and to answer your original question, my eggs do not crack at the slope I use, 30 inch ramp
4 inches high, but when I was experimenting, they cracked if the slope was high enough.

 

[Oneacre Homestead]

 

[gale65]

Hi again,
Before i had a roll out nest, My eggs used to be dirty a lot and Someone said I should try changing the nest bedding more. First I said, "my nests aren't dirty!"
They didn't look that dirty, anyway. Then I decided to try it and I got some cedar shavings and dumped them every other day and WOW what a difference. If your hens are not bothering the eggs, I would try that first. Much easier.

Tried it. I get dirty eggs the very same day I put clean bedding in. I use pine shavings though...

 

[Oneacre Homestead]

Oh. If you don't have room in your coop for the roll out part, what about having the eggs roll to the outside like the other person who posted? I wish mine did that!

 

[gale65]

The nest boxes are built into the side of the coop and are a fixed size and open from outside the coop now. There isn't enough room on the outside to add more onto them.