I'm new to raising and keeping chickens, but experienced with non-conventional construction projects. I'm trying to plan out the coop before I get my chicks this year. I'm constructing the coop almost entirely from reclaimed building materials- old fencing, boards, etc and it is a fun challenge to make a safe and warm henhouse for my Montana climate with these materials.
I'm curious about nesting boxes- specifically, the shape. Can a nest box be a 14" diameter tube sealed and set on the open end, with an entrance hole cut into it? (kinda like nesting in a tiny grain silo) Or must it be a 14x14" square with an open wall to happily accomodate a heavy breed? I'm probably going to get 2 Black Orpingtons and 2 Barred Rocks, as the local feed store carries these breeds and suggests them for keeping in our weather.
Additionally, how small of a hole are chickens comfortable moving through? If I do cut holes into tubes to make nesting boxes, I will have to minimize the size of the hole to keep the tube stable. Would a 8" diameter hole be reasonable? Or bigger?
Thanks for any ideas. I'll post pictures of my henhouse and nest boxes once they are ready (probably March).
-MTchick
I'm curious about nesting boxes- specifically, the shape. Can a nest box be a 14" diameter tube sealed and set on the open end, with an entrance hole cut into it? (kinda like nesting in a tiny grain silo) Or must it be a 14x14" square with an open wall to happily accomodate a heavy breed? I'm probably going to get 2 Black Orpingtons and 2 Barred Rocks, as the local feed store carries these breeds and suggests them for keeping in our weather.
Additionally, how small of a hole are chickens comfortable moving through? If I do cut holes into tubes to make nesting boxes, I will have to minimize the size of the hole to keep the tube stable. Would a 8" diameter hole be reasonable? Or bigger?
Thanks for any ideas. I'll post pictures of my henhouse and nest boxes once they are ready (probably March).
-MTchick