Easy Clean Chicken Nesting Boxes (with dimensions and pictures)

[jmkrusch]

Hi all,

I just redid our chicken nesting boxes, and thought I would share!

Below are some photos of the coop. Each box is just a 2$ "dish bin" from the dollar store (this way we can remove and clean as needed - the bins are not actually attached, but resting on the bars). The wood for the back, sides, top and bottom is 1/4" plywood (used 3 4x8 boards). The bars used for holding up the bins and providing a roosting spot are 2x4s split into .75" pieces (5 2x4s used). To connect it all we used a pneumatic stapler.

The two pieces are not actually connected, but are two separate structures this way we can take it our as needed to clean



I have also attached the plans we used in case any one else is interested in building something similar! I tried to upload the excel spreadsheet, but it wouldn't let me (any suggestions to upload let me know) so i just put the PDF.

I can post pictures of it actually in our coop too, but forgot to take those.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Very nice! How many chickens do you have???

 

[SanMarcoSilkies]

I like this build, may have to replicate!

 

[aart]

Pretty cool!
Does the bin tip when the bird steps on the front edge of it?
Why so tall?
They may roost(sleep) in the highest ones and poop them up....at least they are easy to clean.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Wow you must have a huge flock! Thats enough boxes for over 100 birds.

Gary

 

[jmkrusch]

Hi Everyone! thanks for the interest
We actually only have about 30-45 birds on average (fluctuates as we loose some every year due to age or other wildlife). But we wanted to have lots of room so everyone could find a spot - plus we have 19 babies that are just starting to go out with the big hens, so definitely wanted extra room.

As for the height, honestly it didnt seem that huge on paper - only truly realized the height once i built it. But we've found the height is kind of nice, as we can fit more in and fill up the room (plus they cant sit on top of the entire thing and poop n the wood - they can only get into the boxes of the tall one).

And the tower does not tip at all when they sit on the roosts - thank goodness!

Ill grab more pictures soon

 

[gtaus]

I just redid our chicken nesting boxes, and thought I would share!

I am building my first nest box. Thought about using dish bins from the local Dollar Tree store. Seems easy to take out and clean, or just leave out if not needed. Also, I saw on YouTube someone with this type of nest box idea and they liked it because if you have a broody hen and want to hatch out the chicks, you just pick up the dish pan, the hen, and all the eggs and move them where you want without disturbing the broody hen very much. My next box will have 3 compartments, which I think will be more than enough for my 10 chickens.

Since this is an old thread, and you now have some time with this design, would you please update us on how well it has worked for you and what, if anything, you would change if you had to rebuild? Obviously, I would like to know since I am building my nest boxes this week. Hope you are still watching these threads. Thanks.

 

[blackdog043]

The OP hasn't been on here since August 3 2018. If you click on a person's name, it will show when they were last here.

 

[gtaus]

The OP hasn't been on here since August 3 2018. If you click on a person's name, it will show when they were last here.

Yes, since this was an old thread, I did check prior to my post. I quoted the OP directly for that reason, and if they are still around, I hope they will update their experience if they get an email alert. I really like the ability to search the forums for info, but many times if the thread is just a bit old, the OP and others may no longer be active. I hate to reinvent the wheel by creating a new post on a topic already discussed, but it appears that is probably the best way to get active responses.

 

[aart]

Yo @jmkrusch !