Nesting boxes (baskets)

[chicken opey]

Has anyone used baskets for nesting boxes? Dh will build shelves w dividers but I have a lot of these cheap baskets and w straw, maybe? What do yall think? May be easier to clean? Using baskets as make shift tractor.
20 hens/4 straight run

 

[aart]

Baskets shown aren't really the right shape for nests IMO,
too narrow and tall. What are the measurements?
Will you use them upright or on the sides?

Using baskets as make shift tractor.

Tractor???

 

[chicken opey]

About 2 feet deep? Was thinking w lots of straw in it -upright

 

[chicken opey]

2 feet deep and about foot in diameter- basket size

 

[aart]

About 2 feet deep? Was thinking w lots of straw in it -upright

Might work. Make sure they can't tip over when they jump up to the edge of basket.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Can you lay them in a row on their sides and secure with dividers in between so they don’t roll?

 

[chicken opey]

Can you lay them in a row on their sides and secure with dividers in between so they don’t roll?

Yes. You think since they could turn over girls won’t like them much?

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Yes. You think since they could turn over girls won’t like them much?

I just know that my girls like to explore each nest, make it comfy then sometimes come back to lay. I think it is natural for them to want to visually inspect a nest before going in. If its a tall narrow basket (2:1) a 4-5 lb chicken jumping onto the rim will topple it. IMHO, I would save them the step of tipping it over and simply arrange it like that. Less risk of broken eggs from hopping right in, and injury if it topples, and the bird panic flaps to rebalance.

Or- if you really want them upright you could make a rack to place each basket in and that would provide a perch in front so they don’t have to balance on the rim.

 

[chicken opey]

I just know that my girls like to explore each nest, make it comfy then sometimes come back to lay. I think it is natural for them to want to visually inspect a nest before going in. If its a tall narrow basket (2:1) a 4-5 lb chicken jumping onto the rim will topple it. IMHO, I would save them the step of tipping it over and simply arrange it like that. Less risk of broken eggs from hopping right in, and injury if it topples, and the bird panic flaps to rebalance.

Or- if you really want them upright you could make a rack to place each basket in and that would provide a perch in front so they don’t have to balance on the rim.

K ty. Given me many ideas!

 

[Ridgerunner]

1 foot diameter sounds good. I used a bucket for a while on a 45 degree angle. Built a frame to hold it in position and used screws and a small furring strip to firmly hold it in place so it could not flip. Cleaning it was not a problem.

Maybe another idea.