Nestera coops and nesting boxes

[Chknmo]

Has anyone used Nestera coops? They are made from recycled plastic and I just ordered one. Just curious if anyone else has used this product.

 

[Shadrach]

@Perris I think this one is right up your street.

 

[Shadrach]

Has anyone used Nestera coops? They are made from recycled plastic and I just ordered one. Just curious if anyone else has used this product.

I have a recycled plastic coop but it isn't Nestera. I've tagged Perris who has a few Nestera coops who hopefully will be able to answer any questions you may have.

 

[Perris]

Has anyone used Nestera coops? They are made from recycled plastic and I just ordered one. Just curious if anyone else has used this product.

yes, I have four (started with one and got more as the flock expanded) and I think they are wonderful. What can I do for you?

 

[Chknmo]

Great thank you for the input I ordered the large lodge for 6 hens. Any tips or suggestions before I get it that would make things easier? How often do you clean yours?

 

[Perris]

Great thank you for the input I ordered the large lodge for 6 hens. Any tips or suggestions before I get it that would make things easier? How often do you clean yours?

the droppings trays make poop picking a doddle, and are worth every penny. I pick overnight poop from the trays daily. I clean the coop as and when needed. The last major strip down for a thorough power wash (roofs off, nestboxes completely disassembled, but the main box structure just washed as it stood, right way up then upside down) was 4th October last year. I haven't had to wash them since.

 

[Chknmo]

I did not get the trays but I will order them. I did get the automatic door.

 

[ChaosMom]

I have a large Nestera coop, the sitting on the ground model. Love it, but you’ll probably need to work out afternoon shade for it.

@Perris lives in southern Wales, 51.6°N latitude, and I’m in cool breezy western North Carolina, in the mountains, 35.6°N latitude. Three days after bringing the three pullets home, when the air temp was 58°F, the Buff Orpington was inside the coop and panting. I didn’t have my coop thermometer yet, but it was HOT in there! The thick black walls of the coop had absorbed a ton of solar radiation (“inSOLation”, not insulation), just as you’d want solar photovoltaic panels to do. Great for cheap energy, not so much for chicken comfort.

If you’re in Britain/ Scandinavia/ Northern Europe/ Canada, or the equivalent southern latitudes, you’ll be fine. By the time the Sun reaches high elevation above the horizon in the late spring and summer, you’ll have deciduous trees giving shade. But if you’re farther from the Poles, more in the 30°’s latitudes, you’ll want to screen the Nestera from direct sunlight, including from the sides in late afternoon.

But blah, blah, besides all that, my girls love it, frequently hanging out there during the day when the breezes are too much. Very easy to clean! I have the poop trays, but I probably didn’t need them, because it’s so easy to just rake out bedding every other day. I have about an inch or so of fine pine flakes from Tractor Supply, because they sometimes nap on the floor instead of the roosts. No smell! - although they’re not yet laying, which might change things. Very nice to not have to obsess about red mites and whatnot (although they can happen.)

If you have legitimate winters with significant snows, or other periods of extended bad weather, I don’t know that you’ll be able to maintain peace in the valley with 5-6 hens. If they go out during crappy weather, it might be ok (works for Perris), but if not, you’ll probably want to add some additional protected space for them to hang out. Just don’t compromise the mite-free advantages of the plastic construction.