Sloping nest box top, or not?

[wyo-helpmeet]

I was just reading the thread on the building of a new coop, and someone said not to bother sloping the nest box roof. I've made mine of an old cupboard & had planned on sloping the roof to avoid roosting (as I've read). Would it suffice if I covered the top in those self stick laminate tiles, while leaving it flat, for easier cleaning? I'm just getting tired & still have to finish covering the run & converting the run from a dog pen. TIA!

 

[MariposaMama]

Mine do sleep on top of our flat-roofed nest boxes and it's a mess. The laminate or linoleum would make for easier cleaning. That stuff's like concrete once it has a chance to dry out.

 

[Snakeoil]

Heres a picture of mine, no sleeping on this puppy....

 

[lalaland]

I have flat topped nest boxes, but my roosts are higher, and the hens roost on their roosts - because, they are HIGHER than the nest box.

If your nest boxes are higher than the roosts, or there isn't enough room on the highest roost for all your hens, then they might go for the nest boxes. Still, you can put newspaper on top, top that off with straw, and it won't get too bad.

 

[augustmomx2]

I purposefully had my dh build the nest boxes w/a flat top, as I wanted them to have a little extra room in the Winter. As you can see in the pic, there is leno on top, but as a pp stated, once its dry its like concrete! So, I have been putting shavings on top as well to prevent it from sticking. I need to have dh put a little "ledge" so the shavings won't be kicked out so easily. My girls (& boy) enjoy the extra room & the window

 

[rainbowgardens]

The nest boxes in my new coop will have a flat top. I am planning to use the surface to hold storage tubs with gardening tools since the coop is by the garden. No excuses for rusty pruners now!

If I am faithful to keep the tubs on the shelf I shouldn't have to worry about the hens getting up there.

I hadn't thought about letting the girls sit up there to look out the window. I will have a window above the nests. I guess I can cover the ledge with some left-over vinyl and let them look out in the winter. The tubs can be stored elsewhere in the off season.

Augustmom, any problems with poo getting kicked into the nest boxes below?

 

[augustmomx2]

Quote:
No, I'm sure there are a few "turds" here & there that get kicked in, but its pretty minimal since they don't sleep up there (very often anyways). I also wanted to mention that I have a smaller trash can w/a screwtop lid that I store their feed in, on top of the nesting boxes. They actually have been sitting up there as well, since the poo all over the lid tells the story!

 

[chickens3]

That is a nice nesting box that you built.

 

[LilbitChicken]

I like the slanted top on the nesting boxes...I need to work that into our plans with our coop!!!!!

 

[ArizonaDesertChicks]

We made ours with a sloping roof and also incorporated some storage under the roof.