Our new coop build has been postponed until spring. Hubby decided to build a deck instead and has spent the past two months ripping out an old concrete patio and building and new deck with a bridge and a walkway. So my coop got put on hold.
We have designed the coop and are doing an all in one coop/covered run design similar to the Carolina Coops Penthouse model. If I had the money I would just order one from them a be done with the whole deal. But I can't so I have to do what I can. The actual coop will be raised about 2 feet off the ground and will be approximately 8 ft long by 6 ft wide. We want to make a row of external nest boxes along the 8 ft side of the coop to save space inside the coop. Chicken math and all.
Do you think this idea is feasible? We have a bench that is approximately 6 ft long that hubby made for the dining room of our old house. It was basically a large box and the lid lifted up for storage. The thing is that he left the back and the bottom unfinished since no one would see them. He made it out of 2 x 4s, and pine T & G so it is very sturdy. We were thinking that if we turned it upside down so the top is the bottom (he currently has the lid nailed shut) and had the open back facing into the coop, it would be a perfect external nest box. All he would have to do is build up the sides slightly and make a new top to gather the eggs out of. Which would be perfect because he could make it in two halves so it would be easier for me to lift. If the bench is too heavy, he could put some legs on it for support. Might look silly, but it is 6 feet long, so it might be too large and would need some extra external support. I have never seen external nest boxes with outside legs, but I don't see why it isn't doable?
We hate to let things go to waste and thought this would be a great way to recycle his bench. It is currently in the goat house being used for them to stand on when I trim hooves and so forth, but we are down to one old goat now and she is easy to handle. It can easily be power washed and re-painted. So is this a stupid idea or should we try to use it? I am gathering as many bits and materials as I can so come spring, we have the money and the materials and are ready to go. Thanks for your thoughts and input.
We have designed the coop and are doing an all in one coop/covered run design similar to the Carolina Coops Penthouse model. If I had the money I would just order one from them a be done with the whole deal. But I can't so I have to do what I can. The actual coop will be raised about 2 feet off the ground and will be approximately 8 ft long by 6 ft wide. We want to make a row of external nest boxes along the 8 ft side of the coop to save space inside the coop. Chicken math and all.
Do you think this idea is feasible? We have a bench that is approximately 6 ft long that hubby made for the dining room of our old house. It was basically a large box and the lid lifted up for storage. The thing is that he left the back and the bottom unfinished since no one would see them. He made it out of 2 x 4s, and pine T & G so it is very sturdy. We were thinking that if we turned it upside down so the top is the bottom (he currently has the lid nailed shut) and had the open back facing into the coop, it would be a perfect external nest box. All he would have to do is build up the sides slightly and make a new top to gather the eggs out of. Which would be perfect because he could make it in two halves so it would be easier for me to lift. If the bench is too heavy, he could put some legs on it for support. Might look silly, but it is 6 feet long, so it might be too large and would need some extra external support. I have never seen external nest boxes with outside legs, but I don't see why it isn't doable?
We hate to let things go to waste and thought this would be a great way to recycle his bench. It is currently in the goat house being used for them to stand on when I trim hooves and so forth, but we are down to one old goat now and she is easy to handle. It can easily be power washed and re-painted. So is this a stupid idea or should we try to use it? I am gathering as many bits and materials as I can so come spring, we have the money and the materials and are ready to go. Thanks for your thoughts and input.