Thanks everyone I built the nest box pics on post #16

[jafo]

Check out our page in members (jafo) and if you want, I can draw dimensions etc, or even take photos and email 'em to ya. I have a hard time putting pics in a forum. What I did, was make the nest box(es) 42" long x 14"deep x 14" tall in the front, and 12" tall in the back, for the sloped roof. all by itself. 3 sided, with the roof and floor, then I put dividers in it, for the size I needed, each box is 14" x 14". 1 box for up to 4 hens. Then I went in the coop, and cut the entry holes (12x x12) to get INTO the boxes. I skrewed through the wall of the coop, into the frame of the nest box(es) using 2 inch wood skrews, all the way around the frame. It's so sturdy, I can stand on the roof part and it does not budge, and I'm not yer average slimfast kinda guy. I shingled the roof part after it was attatched. I also put a "plywood flap" hinged over the boxes, 'til they're ready to start laying, in 6 more weeks. I open it on occasion, so they'll know where and when it's time. So far from the feathers in 'em, they like it!

 

[mayden]

Here is a couple of pics of mine. Hope they help

 

[patandchickens]

External (like, sticking-out) nestboxes ARE more expensive to construct, also much harder to weatherproof and predatorproof (they will always be a weak point), also yes your eggs will freeze faster than in the main coop although if you allow extra space and insulate and are *really* good at weatherstripping it may not be a huge difference.

Really, just build your boxes IN the coop like normal, but make a hatch through the wall so you can collect the eggs from outside if you want. It is ever so much simpler and works better... all the advantages of what you're talking about with none of the disadvantages.

The only reason to have protruding nestboxes is if you simply physically do not have *room* for them inside the coop.


Pat

 

[needafarm]

Thanks for all the great advice. After reading eveything, looking at lots of pics and rolling around in bed all night not sleeping because I was thinking about nest boxes, I think I am ready to do it. I'v been taking pictures of my progress and will post them, not sure if this will get down while in progress or when I finally complete the coop.

 

[fhdogs]

Just incase you wanted to see one more example, here's mine.

Obviously you can't see my framing, but I did it just as you would a window opening. Since the opening is so large, I doubled up the top and bottom of the opening, and the below the boxes I put studs every 12 inches instead of the 16 I used elsewhere in the coop.

Yes, there are advantages and disadvantages to having your boxes stick out. I appreciate the extra floorspace, and the easy access. If I'm ever not around to take care of things, it'll be easy enough to have someone else check for eggs.

 

[needafarm]

Well here's what I did. Hope it works. I did decide to do an external box because I was limited on coop space. Weather should not be a problem cause I live in central california. Doesn't get below freezing and were lucky if we get a hand full of rain days a year, if anything I'm more worried about the heat (It was supposed to get to 111 today, YUCK) I will provide plenty of ventilation and the coop and most of the run will be located in the shade. I live in town and have rabbits that roam freely in my backyard for the past 2 years and have had no problems with predators. Not even sure there is anything that could or would go after them here (I do have a 7-8 foot block wall around my whole yard. I was going to do a slant roof on the box but this was just far to complicated for me. I haven't yet put the lid on the box . I am also going to put in a small step up perch to the box. Let me know what you think.

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. As for the nest boxes mine are on the outside of the coop. If you look at the coop pages you will see many coops that have nest boxes on the out side of the coops. Here are some pictures of mine. I have never had a bird try to get out when I open the doors.

 

[kmoranjr1]

Check out my page , I hung my boxes off the back of my coop. They are well insulated and sturdy enough to deter predators.

 

[WriterofWords]

Those are beautiful coops and nests!