Why do people put their nest boxes outside the coop?

[Jarhead]

I learned to do that kind of set up by watching news people do it

#5 - my wife wanted it like that!

 

[dalostshaker]

I built the first phase of my coop with the boxes at ground level on the inside of the house with a shelf 12" high to cover them....now that my girls have started laying....I am building phase 2 of the henhouse....with elevated nesting boxes that are sticking out because I can't stand the poop accumulation in my first design. Having the boxes "jut" out the side of the wall is soooo much cleaner!

 

[coffeemama]

does anyone have any photos of their boxes like this? I have been wanting to make some on the outside of the coop. Also, tips for waterproofing it

 

[Jarhead]

These were taken during construction - but should help you out. If it is under the eave of the roof it helps, also, make sure the "lid" overhangs the edges by a few inches on all sides. You can use a roofing material on the lid if you want, and coat the rest with something like thompson's water seal.

 

[MamaDragon]

Scott??

Great looking traveling cage!

Do I count correctly that you have 6 nests in that rolling pen?

How many hens are you planning on keeping in there?

Is it hardware cloth for the bottom for ease of cleaning? Rolling for the same reason?

Thanks,
Kathy

 

[Jarhead]

There are 7 nest boxes. Plenty for our 15 girls. Planned for future expansion - just in case

Yes - on ease of cleaning for the hardware cloth.
Having it movable is so the coop can be moved every few days so poo can fall around different areas of the yard as fertilizer. If you are interested in a full workup on our coop please visit my coop page https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=14375

 

[needmorechickens!]

On that diagram, the gap where the hinges are...how do you keep that from leaking?

~Rebecca

 

[Jarhead]

2 ways

#1 - The hinge is under the coop's main roof, it overhangs it by 6"
#2 - There is a heavy gauge vinyl that is affixed with caulk over the hinges and the little gap that completely seals the gap from rain.

We have had tons of heavy rain and not a drop has ever gotten in.

 

[4hLuvers]

ive heard the eggs are easier to get to that way...

 

[ncCHICKS]

Easier to clean, keeps you away from chicken feces when in a rush.

Also, better usage of space.