Will this work as a ramp?

[Happy Novogens]

Don't have chickens yet. No experience with them. Working on run.

Is this something that can work as a ramp to the nest box? If not, what needs to be fixed/changed?

 

[All4Eggz]

It does look like it will work as a ramp.
I don't think the chickens will use it much, because I know a lot of chickens like to fly up to their nest boxes.

 

[All4Eggz]

Your nest box is going to be in the run (outside of the coop)? Do you have a coop?
How many chickens are you getting?
Are you able to change out the material in the nest box to hay or shavings? They are more comfortable for the laying hens IMO.

 

[CaptainDuckman]

Extend a roost from the nesting box. Chickens can fly that high, but a roost will make them more interested in it.

 

[Happy Novogens]

Your nest box is going to be in the run (outside of the coop)? Do you have a coop?
How many chickens are you getting?
Are you able to change out the material in the nest box to hay or shavings? They are more comfortable for the laying hens IMO.

To begin with, I'm planning on getting 3 Buff Orpington hens. May get more later. I'm still working on the coop/roost area, but, yes, the open coop is inside the 10' x 20' run. I'll attach photo.

The coop part is rather confusing looking in the photo. It still needs the 3' x 8' roof on it. Half is the roost area. The other half is for food/water area.

The artificial grass is a soft, cushy plastic-y piece that I read was ideal for nesting?? It would be easy enough to take out if not appropriate.

 

[All4Eggz]

The size looks good for 3 hens.
Most people have nest boxes inside the coop instead of outside in the run.
Inside the coop is quiet, calm, and the hens are protected from the weather when they want to lay... so I'd recommend you put the nest box in the coop. It could just be on the floor.

The artificial grass is a soft, cushy plastic-y piece that I read was ideal for nesting?? It would be easy enough to take out if not appropriate.

It may work fine. I have just noticed that the hens like the hay the best.

 

[Happy Novogens]

I placed the nestbox so that I could access the eggs from outside the run. It is sloped to catch the eggs to the back.

We're in the outskirts of Phoenix, so it is super hot here (and dry -- we only get 7" rain per year).

 

[Happy Novogens]

It may work fine. I have just noticed that the hens like the hay the best.

My mother suggested the same thing. She was raised in the 1930s/40s & they had chickens back then. When she saw that artificial grass in the box, she thought hay or straw would be a better idea.

 

[Sono]

Nest boxes should be in the coop, quiet and "safe" is where they want to lay eggs. If they dont feel that, they may not use it and will lay anywhere in the run. 1 nest box for every 3-4 Hens max.

 

[Happy Novogens]

Nest boxes should be in the coop, quiet and "safe" is where they want to lay eggs. If they dont feel that, they may not use it and will lay anywhere in the run. 1 nest box for every 3-4 Hens max.

I get that idea with a typical coop with solid walls. It's too hot here for that. Perhaps I shouldn't call mine a "coop" at all since it will be little more than a roof with 1 pallet "wall." The photo above is the complete "coop"-- except for the roof which hasn't been placed on it yet.
My thinking may be erroneous, but I thought (hoped) that the nestbox itself would be what the chickens would see as the most 'quiet & safe' area in the run.