Just finishing up a few last things for the move.
Options are almost endless when putting together areas for your poultry and livestock to be. For us, we like to keep things simple, neat, and somewhat organized. In this case, I went with a "plan b" over using milk crates, which are often the property of some company somewhere that hasn't seen them in years.
CHICKEN NESTING BOX BUILD VIDEO
THE BASIC IDEA
Rather than "stolen" milk crates, I chose to go with some plastic filing crates, which I purchased for about $3.50 USD each. By mounting three of them on a board, I figured I'd be able to easily attach them to the inside of the coop.
I also added a short board to the front of the crates to prevent any eggs from accidentally rolling out. Once the straw is added, I think these will make a great place for the chicken to lay their eggs.
I've still got some modifying and tweaking to do, but this is the basic idea. I cover more in the video and talk about some other things too, so check that out if you haven't yet. What do you think? Does it look nice and functional?
As always, I'm @papa-pepper and here's the proof:
proof-of-nesting-boxes
Until next time…
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Do you have any Predators over there back here in England one of my work mates has problems with foxes 🦊 and they don’t just kill one it will kill as many chickens as it can get hold of. Cheers mike
Actually, I recently lost my favorite hen and her three chicks to a fox. Working on extra secure pens and coops on the land.
Awesome work.
Are u keeping them from out?
Hopefully a lot of eggs 🍳
Looks great! Only thing I would say is the fact that they are 'see-through' might make the hens feel somewhat unsafe. They like dark corners... If they dont use them, I would recommend putting a cover of sorts over them.
Great idea though!! :D
I'll keep that in mind. Thanks!
They look great egg laying boxes, strong, airy, comfortable, but secure and private enough for the chickens to feel they are good spaces. You could maybe put a poop collecting tray/ shelf under the roosting place but above the nesting boxes then you can remove straight to the compost and keep everything around the boxes poop free. 🌴🌈🦋💛🍀
I was considering something like that! Thanks for chiming in!
....great minds😂
They're so beautifully built, but it seems like it looks so open giving room for maybe cold and I know chicks are welcome reared in warm environments...
Well done @papa-pepper
@papa-pepper - I swear the things you can do with a couple of crates or a pallet is insane!! I literally furnished the entire internet cafe side of my old shop with the both! The seating I made from the crates was a massive hit! -
haha - I saw a meme the other day which really made me laugh about the "upcycling craze" though....
source
All the best with the "move" ;)
LOL on the meme, and what a wonderful job! Great thinking!
haha thanks - and yeah.... it is EQUALLY amazing how creative "lack of funds" can get you lol - especially when you are passionate about the vision ;)
I don't know much about hens but your idea is kinda innovative. If your hens don't like it much then this could be used in your kitchen as well.
Be careful with the sides as the hens will be kicking eggs out the openings. When they get into the nest box and try to get comfy they can shuffle eggs around. Another point is the flow through of debris from the tops ones to the bottoms ones if there is no barrier between them.
It's always good to test things first like this though since you will for sure come up with a better design. I know I generally do.
Yup, I'm putting a board between the top and bottom layers (lol - layers) and might close in the sides too. Thanks! I'm about to feature some of the sunflowers I'm growing from the seeds you sent us in the next post!
Nice job. I have been thinking of doing the same thing. Currently I have solid wood boxes, they are difficult to clean.
The only suggestion I can make is to raise them up a bit to allow you to clean out from under them. Also you may want to put a step sloped “roof” above the boxes to prevent the hens from roosting on them.
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Looks good - one problem that I have had is that during the night, the hens like to roost on the front of the nesting box which leads to them filling the nesting box with poop. My nesting boxes are at the same height as the roosts so that may be part of my problem. If my nesting boxes were lower than the roosts it might not be as attractive to sleep there. I am interested to hear about your experiences.
I'm hoping that you used recycled pallet wood too mate haha. great idea to stop eggs rolling out.
:D
Chickens also like to sit on an elevated horizontal pole @papa-pepper you could make that also for the roosters instead of them flying over a tree or something at night time.
That is my next project for them! I'm gathering materials now. Thanks!
@papa-pepper please reply me on discord Sir.
🌸🌸🌸💮💮🌸🌸🌸🌸
I'll try to get on discord later tonight, thanks!
Great video man! That was a very clever idea to use the milk crates. The MacGyver farmer. haha :)
Cool stuff, pp!
I'll be curious to hear how the crates worked out, as I am wondering if the hens will feel they have enough "privacy" with all the openings in the crates, or...?
Its a great idea, though I'd worry about the size of the holes and not having the sides closed in as eggs and newly hatched chicks could fall through them. :D I look forward to hearing your final verdict on this design and any changes you end up making before you're 100% happy with it. :D I really like that idea of closing in the laying boxes so they don't sleep in them or use them as toilets. :D Your son is a great helper. :D
God bless you and your wonderful family. :D Have an awesome day my fabulous friend! :D
thanks for this great idea
best wishes feuerelfe
this is a pretty good article with some things to consider, they are obviously trying to sell their equipment but there is some good information
Yes it looks functional and it has that @papa-pepper touch to it as well! :-)
I used plastic crates that they use here for selling veggies in the market. They worked much like yours. The chickens haven't complained anyway.