What's the reasoning for nesting boxes usually sticking out?

[gpeled]

Another newbie design question, while I am constructing my coop and can still change that part.
My plan was to have the nesting box be fully inside behind the front wall of the coop, with a dedicated door I can use to access them.
But looks like most design make the nesting box stick out of the front or side, and accessible from top.
Any thoughts on why that would matter (and am I making a mistake) , or is it more aesthetics than anything?

Thanks

 

[jthornton]

Well if you make a roll out nest box you can collect the clean eggs from the outside.



JT

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Nest box outside the coop allows for more space inside the coop.

 

[blackdog043]

Nest box outside the coop allows for more space inside the coop

Unless you raise them up 18 inches off the floor like mine, then they have room to go under them, so no lost floor space. It also depends on your coop size, it just may work out better to have them stick out, on a smaller coop.

 

[Percheron chick]

Saves space inside the coop.
In a cold climate inside is better as the eggs don't freeze as quickly.

 

[gpeled]

Is there also a benefit of creating a more private/dark area, moving them further away from the perching area? Or does it not matter much?
(and yes, I have it raised 3 feet so plan to use the space underneath for food/water)

 

[blackdog043]

I personally don't think it matters much. Mine lay in the 3 nests on the left side(pic in post 4) the 2 on the far right don't get used and they are the ones more private and dark.

You have 3 ft of space underneath your nest boxes, is there a reason they are so high? Make sure your roost boards are higher than they are, or they may want to roost in the nest boxes.

 

[gpeled]

I raised 3 feet so that the space underneath would be usable and easy to reach in. Good to know about making the sure the roosts are higher. Thanks!

 

[lazy gardener]

Appropriate advice can't be given without more details. Size of coop planned: L x W x H, and your general climate. I've had side car style nest box that hung on the outside of the coop, and nest boxes that are inside coop foot print but have access through a door in the wall of the coop. I much prefer the latter b/c of my climate. Eggs are less likely to freeze. Huge issue with frozen eggs in the side car style. Same goes for a roll out nest box. No way would that work for me. eggs would be frozen within the hour! If you put your general location in your profile, it will always be available, so folks can give advice specific to your climate.

While we're talking about coop design, I'm gonna climb on a soap box: Make it big enough. Minimum of 4 s.f./bird. And put in enough ventilation: 1 s.f./bird or 10% of floor area. (100 s.f. coop needs at least 10 s.f. of ventilation, or if you put 25 birds in it, you might want 25 s.f.) Make it tall enough. You need at least 2' between floor and roost, roost must be above nest boxes, and you need at least 18" above roost. If you are in a cold climate, space is even more important, especially height. You must have enough cu. ft. and adequate ventilation to handle the copious amounts of moisture the birds put out every night. If you don't you will be plagued with frost bite in your flock. AND NO, heating your coop is not an appropriate substitute for adequate space/ventilation.

 

[gpeled]

Appropriate advice can't be given without more details. Size of coop planned: L x W x H, and your general climate. I've had side car style nest box that hung on the outside of the coop, and nest boxes that are inside coop foot print but have access through a door in the wall of the coop. I much prefer the latter b/c of my climate. Eggs are less likely to freeze. Huge issue with frozen eggs in the side car style. Same goes for a roll out nest box. No way would that work for me. eggs would be frozen within the hour! If you put your general location in your profile, it will always be available, so folks can give advice specific to your climate.

While we're talking about coop design, I'm gonna climb on a soap box: Make it big enough. Minimum of 4 s.f./bird. And put in enough ventilation: 1 s.f./bird or 10% of floor area. (100 s.f. coop needs at least 10 s.f. of ventilation, or if you put 25 birds in it, you might want 25 s.f.) Make it tall enough. You need at least 2' between floor and roost, roost must be above nest boxes, and you need at least 18" above roost. If you are in a cold climate, space is even more important, especially height. You must have enough cu. ft. and adequate ventilation to handle the copious amounts of moisture the birds put out every night. If you don't you will be plagued with frost bite in your flock. AND NO, heating your coop is not an appropriate substitute for adequate space/ventilation.

Location is San Jose, CA - so guessing cold is less of a concern than for some of you.
Size - I intend to get 4 chickens, so building for 6. I have a large section of the garden that would be fenced off to be a run, so the coop itself which is 3'W x 5'L x 6'H will really be just the perch/nest/feed area. The nest box will be 3' high, so the perch I'll make 3-5.

Given the relatively war, weather, I'm making the upper 3' surrounded by plywood, but the bottom only hardware cloth.

If I had lots of width in that area I would just go with nest boxes sticking out. But it's a relatively narrow side of the yard. so thinking of saving the 1' protrusion, to keep more walking space.