Topic of the Week - Nest boxes

[NorthTexasWink]

Put a roost on the fronts of the nest boxes, out far enough to keep poop from falling into the boxes?

Roosts have to be higher than nest boxes, and not over open nest boxes. They tend to like roosting in the highest places they can get to.

 

[aart]

My girls will roost on the edges of the nesting box, so I have to clean them out EVERY morning. I'm not sure how to get them to roost on the 2x4s we have in their coop that they used to always be on. Any thoughts or ideas that might help?

Put a roost on the fronts of the nest boxes, out far enough to keep poop from falling into the boxes?

While a perch in front of nests is good and often very much needed, you don't really want them sleeping there. "Far enough" for poop, might too far to access nests.

Roosts have to be higher than nest boxes, and not over open nest boxes. They tend to like roosting in the highest places they can get to.

This^^^is it!

....and sometimes you'll need to 'train' them to use roosts.
By moving them from nest to roost well after dark,
or blocking nests around roosting time to 'force' them to use roosts.

 

[byounghusband]

So... Which is better? Nest boxes inside the coop or attached to the outside of the coop?

My 10 (I think) hens will be 19 weeks on Friday and I need to get boxes built quickly. I have an Easter Egger, Barred Rock, two Turkens, 2 RIRs, and two other (can't remember which breed) hens. I have two Roosters, one Barred Rock (Rocky)and one Easter Egger (Caitlin)

 

[NorthTexasWink]

I don't care about having to go inside the coop to get my eggs. Some folks hate having to do so. I have no anticipation of needing to worry about eggs freezing. If you are worried about eggs getting too hot or cold, use interior boxes.

I'm building my coop now for interior nest boxes. More worried about excess heat than cold, and I have the room to do it that way. If room in your coop is an issue, exterior boxes can also help with that.

Either way works for most people in most situations, so do what you prefer?

 

[GC-Raptor]

So... Which is better? Nest boxes inside the coop or attached to the outside of the coop?

My 10 (I think) hens will be 19 weeks on Friday and I need to get boxes built quickly. I have an Easter Egger, Barred Rock, two Turkens, 2 RIRs, and two other (can't remember which breed) hens. I have two Roosters, one Barred Rock (Rocky)and one Easter Egger (Caitlin)

I have my nest boxes in the coop, with an access door outside.
If you have a very tiny coop, then I would hang outside.
I built my nests inside, because it gets cold where I live, down to -13 degrees Fahrenheit last winter. Outside the coop nest boxes, the eggs would freeze quickly.
I checked for eggs last winter at 5 a.m., 9 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4:30 p.m., during the coldest part of winter, if temps were 25 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. I only had 1 frozen egg last winter. GC

 

[byounghusband]

Thanks both for the quick replies. I have LOTS O' room in the coop, 9' x 16', so inside they will be. Much easier!! I will do a door for outside access. The nest boxes will have be either 4 across, or 2 x 2. Not sure which yet. I will have a sloped top so they don't perch on top of the nest boxes. I already have roosting bars with trays underneath. (Love those!!)

I have my nest boxes in the coop, with an access door outside.
If you have a very tiny coop, then I would hang outside.
I built my nests inside, because it gets cold where I live, down to -13 degrees Fahrenheit last winter. Outside the coop nest boxes, the eggs would freeze quickly.
I checked for eggs last winter at 5 a.m., 9 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4:30 p.m., during the coldest part of winter, if temps were 25 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. I only had 1 frozen egg last winter. GC

I don't care about having to go inside the coop to get my eggs. Some folks hate having to do so. I have no anticipation of needing to worry about eggs freezing. If you are worried about eggs getting too hot or cold, use interior boxes.

I'm building my coop now for interior nest boxes. More worried about excess heat than cold, and I have the room to do it that way. If room in your coop is an issue, exterior boxes can also help with that.

Either way works for most people in most situations, so do what you prefer?

 

[GC-Raptor]

Thanks both for the quick replies. I have LOTS O' room in the coop, 9' x 16', so inside they will be. Much easier!! I will do a door for outside access. The nest boxes will have be either 4 across, or 2 x 2. Not sure which yet. I will have a sloped top so they don't perch on top of the nest boxes. I already have roosting bars with trays underneath. (Love those!!)

Yes the access door is actually the back wall of nest boxes. I have a 3" high piece of wood on back of nest boxes to hold in nest material and eggs when I open outside door. . GC

 

[byounghusband]

Great Tip!! Mental note made and hopefully retained....
Thanks!!

Yes the access door is actually the back wall of nest boxes. I have a 3" high piece of wood on back of nest boxes to hold in nest material when I open outside door.View attachment 1089664. GC

 

[NorthTexasWink]

Remember to make your roosts higher than the nest boxes, else you'll have birds roosting in the boxes.

 

[byounghusband]

Oh yes, they will be... Here is their roosting bar. Nesting boxes will be where the yellow step ladder is.

Remember to make your roosts higher than the nest boxes, else you'll have birds roosting in the boxes.