What are folks up north doing for nest boxes?

Ours are external and while the coop is insulated, the nest boxes aren't. We have 3 boxes sitting side by each. They seemed to do fine with this.

 

Since frozen eggs can be an issue, I like interior boxes. I'd use a service door in the side of the coop, before I'd build an external box. That's just my preference.

We've gone to a community laying area. I like it. The chickens keep each others eggs warm, until we get out there to collect. Chickens usually like to use one favorite nest box anyway, so we eventually just got rid of the old boxes. If I was going to make individual boxes, I'd make them generous sized, but only the bare minimum number needed.

 

Uninsulated coop, inside, large Lowes box and old cat litter bins filled with diy grass hay.

 

I use cardboard boxes that used to hold hoses. Then I fill with hay. When they get dirty, I just burn them, then that goes on the compost pile. My boxes are inside the coop, not insulated other than the hay. I know others use staw, but I just LOVE the smell of hay. Reminds me of a barn---love barns

 

Last year was our first winter with chickens. Live in Wisconsin. We have a 6X8 insulated coop we run 2 heat lamps. 1 on a thermostat. If it gets below 20 outside I plug the other lamp in that way the first one will come on only if needed I keep it 60 degrees. We have a build out for the nest boxes. 7 boxes that also is insulated with 2 inch thick foam. Didn't have any problems. Just set up a 7X8 coop now with the boxes inside this time to see what we like better

 

I'm not up north but I attached a used "over the top of the refrigerator" cabinet from the ReStore. They are not as tall as other kitchen cabinets. The one I chose was made out of 3/4 plywood and oak, we just attached the back/wall side to the coop and use the cabinet doors to open and get the eggs out. We also added a couple of hooks with latches on the outer doors so they don't pop open and racoons can't get in. We built a little roof over it so rain is not an issue. We also draped the inside between the coop and nest box with a half curtin of material to give them a cozy place it is also lined with matts and shavings. We did not need to insulate because of where we live, but the cabinet wood is nice and heavy if it were cold here I would have put insulation around it and covered it with siding. I would also have added a heavy material curtin on the cabinet door side to keep it even warmer.

 

Ours will be external. DH accidentally made the nest box opening too wide but it turned out to be a good thing because we can insulate it easily on the ends now. We'll add some insulation on the bottom and front also so we will hopefully have less frozen egg problems.