Will my chickens use these nesting boxes?

[Ruby Rogue]

My permanent coop is in construction and I'm trying to figure out how to make the space for the nesting boxes work. I plan on having an outdoor hatch to access the eggs but I only have a small space between 2 studs to build the boxes...

The photo represents the space (from a top view)...and the blue squiggly lines are like...curtains. With a curtain at the entrance. Will my hens walk through these curtains to find their preferred nesting area?

I think it's foolish and a strange setup but I don't want to build any boxes outside. But if they will use them it might actually be awesome.

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

I've used/use curtains on some of my boxes. Maybe, well getting them used to laying in the boxes, tie the curtains back.

Maybe something like this:

(this is not my picture)

 

[Ruby Rogue]

I get what you're saying but they go backwards not sideways, if you get my drift.

 

[DobieLover]

My permanent coop is in construction and I'm trying to figure out how to make the space for the nesting boxes work. I plan on having an outdoor hatch to access the eggs but I only have a small space between 2 studs to build the boxes...

The photo represents the space (from a top view)...and the blue squiggly lines are like...curtains. With a curtain at the entrance. Will my hens walk through these curtains to find their preferred nesting area?

I think it's foolish and a strange setup but I don't want to build any boxes outside. But if they will use them it might actually be awesome.

I doubt it, but they might.
If you are building your coop, why not frame it out to have more conventionally designed nest boxes?

 

[RobertaD1]

Ive had hens lay eggs in a bag of shavings! The twits.... LOL. At the time, I had 20 nesting boxes!
They will lay where you want them to, as long as they feel safe. Put a dummy egg or golf balls where you want them to go. You do not need curtains, but, if you just have to have them for looks, then tie them back so they can see where they are going. How many birds do you have? One box may be enough if you have fewer than 4 hens.

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

Yes, I realize your boxes are different. I was referring to the style of curtains, that is, how they are tied up. If you tie them up, the hens may have a better chance of figuring out the boxes.

 

[RobertaD1]

Whats your coop set up?

 

[reddogmaster2]

My permanent coop is in construction and I'm trying to figure out how to make the space for the nesting boxes work. I plan on having an outdoor hatch to access the eggs but I only have a small space between 2 studs to build the boxes...

The photo represents the space (from a top view)...and the blue squiggly lines are like...curtains. With a curtain at the entrance. Will my hens walk through these curtains to find their preferred nesting area?

I think it's foolish and a strange setup but I don't want to build any boxes outside. But if they will use them it might actually be awesome.

That drawing looks like my fish depth finder on my bass boat. I've never figured that one either but good luck with the layers!

 

[Ruby Rogue]

It's already framed up, I'm just trying to figure out where to put things and maximize the usable space. I like the dummy egg idea, that may work. I have 3 pullets but I'm building for like...10 or so. There's no setup yet just a space.

This is what I'm thinking. Sorry for the dumb pics.

 

[RobertaD1]

I take it the "apartment" is the roost space?
and coop dimensions?