Will these work for nesting boxes?

[Kaesi2020]

We had these plastic crates on hand from Home Depot. I was thinking we would cut out one side, keeping a lip at the bottom - this will be the side that the pullets enter from. I was going to put pine shavings on the bottom and add some gold balls. Would you do anything else? We would have 2 (we have 6 pullets, two buff orpingtons, two easter eggers and two red sex links) nesting boxes. Pullets are 15 weeks old. We are setting the boxes up today. These will go in our raised coop. Thank you!

 

[Henry&Friends]

I wouldn't even bother cutting them, i'd put some straw/nesting material in and turn it on its side. I have some nests that are bins, and if you put a heavy rock at the bottom you can leave the top open so they can hop up and in... But if you have larger breeds, they might crush eggs doing that

 

[aart]

They can work OK.
Open tops may lead to perching on the edges at night,
make sure your roosts are higher than the nests.

 

[centrarchid]

I use them. When using them for multiple hens or large hens, then be sure to stuff them with lots of bedding like straw so hens do not have to step so far down into the nest. Stay on top of harvesting eggs to prevent breakage.




I also like for use with broody hens like you described with cutting them so hens and ultimately chicks can more or less step into the milk crate. When side is cut out I have been installing a piece of plywood then putting 1/2 to 1 " of grit or crushed oyster shell in as the bedding as they are not scratched out so bad.

Image from thread below. Most of time I place such nest on a flat surface so hens (and chicks) can walk last little bit to nest. They are exceptionally easy to clean.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ing-easier-from-window.1364258/#post-22480129

 

[Kaesi2020]

I use them. When using them for multiple hens or large hens, then be sure to stuff them with lots of bedding like straw so hens do not have to step so far down into the nest. Stay on top of harvesting eggs to prevent breakage.




I also like for use with broody hens like you described with cutting them so hens and ultimately chicks can more or less step into the milk crate. When side is cut out I have been installing a piece of plywood then putting 1/2 to 1 " of grit or crushed oyster shell in as the bedding as they are not scratched out so bad.

Image from thread below. Most of time I place such nest on a flat surface so hens (and chicks) can walk last little bit to nest. They are exceptionally easy to clean.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ing-easier-from-window.1364258/#post-22480129

Thanks for posting the picture. I had not thought about cutting the sides down too, I thought perhaps they would want more of an enclosed feel but it sounds like you've had success with this version. Do you think these boxes are big enough for breeds like buff orpingtons? Thank you.

 

[Kaesi2020]

They can work OK.
Open tops may lead to perching on the edges at night,
make sure your roosts are higher than the nests.

Thanks. They will be below the roosting area. I'm going to work on these today and will post pictures. My red sex links seem like they are getting close to egg laying.

 

[centrarchid]

Thanks for posting the picture. I had not thought about cutting the sides down too, I thought perhaps they would want more of an enclosed feel but it sounds like you've had success with this version. Do you think these boxes are big enough for breeds like buff orpingtons? Thank you.

They will be tight for 8 lb birds, so cutting might help with that.

 

[Kaesi2020]

They will be tight for 8 lb birds, so cutting might help with that.

Will do. Thanks

 

[Folly's place]

Mine work fine without cutting them down, and sometimes two 7+ pound birds get in at one time! I put an empty feed bag on the bottom, and shavings or hay on top as bedding.

The sapling in front is so the hens can walk along and decide which box to use. The boxes sit on an open shelf, and the 4" board in front is too low, they still push bedding out of the boxes.
Use a 6" board instead, and also the slanted top is obviously not slanted enough. Make it at a 45 degree angle instead.
I like that there's good air flow all around each box, very good in summer.
Mary

 

[Kaesi2020]

I use them. When using them for multiple hens or large hens, then be sure to stuff them with lots of bedding like straw so hens do not have to step so far down into the nest. Stay on top of harvesting eggs to prevent breakage.




I also like for use with broody hens like you described with cutting them so hens and ultimately chicks can more or less step into the milk crate. When side is cut out I have been installing a piece of plywood then putting 1/2 to 1 " of grit or crushed oyster shell in as the bedding as they are not scratched out so bad.

Image from thread below. Most of time I place such nest on a flat surface so hens (and chicks) can walk last little bit to nest. They are exceptionally easy to clean.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ing-easier-from-window.1364258/#post-22480129

I think I ended up cutting mine similar to yours. I put cardboard on the bottom, pine shavings and a little hay. I need to get grit and oyster shell. Thanks for the tips.