The Trap Nesting Thread

[MANOZ]

galanie ----nah its a circular hand grinder thingy.......lol....

workbench...........what workbench??????

 

[MANOZ]

how's your trap nest coming galanie??

 

[galanie]

Wasn't able to work on it yesterday but I'll likely put the door on today. I have the wood cut for it and I think I've decided how to rig a hinge. Didn't want to buy any.

When I was making the big bucks (lol) at the post office I was really into woodworking and sunk a lot of money into tools. Didn't have chickens then either. So now that I'm retired I'm reaping the rewards of having spent so much on tools but I'm OH SO CHEAP now, won't even spend a couple bucks on hinges! The girls are laying in it by the way. I'm sure they won't mind if I borrow their box for a while later on

I'll post a pic when I'm done.

 

[MANOZ]

so i take it the transition went smoothly........?

 

[galanie]

Yep, no problems at all. Course, no door yet either.

 

[MANOZ]

I cant wait to hear stories of your trap nesting experience.I know you'll luv it!

 

[MANOZ]

Walking into the chicken house this morning I found the most beautiful site.
7 hens all laying in individual nest boxes.

 

[galanie]

Today, the door in place but not calibrated or set right. So they could have hit it, but it wouldn't fall. Everyone that can lay, did lay today, and in the trap nest. None tripped it and closed the door, but the important part, they all did, as far as I can figure, touch the overhead door and still go in and lay.

After that, I took it back in the shop and perfected the door and installed the rest of the trim. String for hinges and it works pretty easily. Tomorrow is the real test. Will they trip it? Stay tuned!

That stick on top is a "handle." It works fine to grab that with one hand and grab it by the back in the other. Also testing the strength of the nails. They hold fine! Two 1 9/16 brads crossed in the top face frame board and it picks up no problem.

That thing on the right is an old file cabinet box that they don't like and never go in. I just left the there all this time though I should throw it out.

ETA: I didn't have any 1/2 inch or similar plywood but I did have 1/4 inch. So I used contact cement and made my own 1/2 inch plywood! LOL! Don't know how long it will hold but I will find out!


edit: found out later that 1/4" is what you need to use.

 

[galanie]

Quote:
Got to say, that is a beautiful sight.

 

[MANOZ]

galanie-----you have officially reached the troubleshooting stage,

In my opinion, I think that door is a bit high.If the bottom piece does not sit at 90 degrees or higher you may have problems getting them to operate it. I have found that they like to stick their head in that diamond hole if the bottom piece is too low.At 90 degrees they can still fit their head in but they dont,the diamond hole is cut in half so to speak.You wanna discourage that.Higher than 90 degrees closes access to the top half of the diamond hole.I would cut the bottom door to lower the whole thing a little,downside is you may have to make another top piece