Pallet nesting box

[aggie2013]

It's crude but it's my first ever pallet made nesting box. I'm pretty proud of myself because I did it with minimal help from my boyfriend.

 

[Dmontgomery]

Well done! What are the dimensions of each nest?

 

[aggie2013]

Well done! What are the dimensions of each nest?

A little under 12"x12"

 

[Ridgerunner]

That doesn’t look crude to me, you just reused used wood. That looks sturdy and I’m all in favor of recycling materials. I’ve used a kitty litter bucket with top dimensions of 7-1/2” x 11-1/2” for full sized hens and it worked for them to lay in. I even saw two hens laying in it at the same time once, man that was crowded. Mine was too small for a hen to hatch chicks in though as I found out. Yours will handle two hens at the same time and you can let a hen hatch chicks in them if you wish.

One thing I suggest you watch for. I can’t tell how high that lip is across the front. It may be fine but I’ve had problems with hens scratching the bedding, fake eggs, and real eggs out because the lip was too low. If you see that problem (and you probably will not) just raise the lip a couple of inches. For someone of your ability that won’t be a problem.

I agree, well done. You should be proud.

 

[kgb6days]

Looks pretty good to me. I'm sure the chickens will love it

 

[Hokum Coco]

It's crude but it's my first ever pallet made nesting box.
As long as the hens use them that is all that counts.

 

[aggie2013]

That doesn’t look crude to me, you just reused used wood. That looks sturdy and I’m all in favor of recycling materials. I’ve used a kitty litter bucket with top dimensions of 7-1/2” x 11-1/2” for full sized hens and it worked for them to lay in. I even saw two hens laying in it at the same time once, man that was crowded. Mine was too small for a hen to hatch chicks in though as I found out. Yours will handle two hens at the same time and you can let a hen hatch chicks in them if you wish.

One thing I suggest you watch for. I can’t tell how high that lip is across the front. It may be fine but I’ve had problems with hens scratching the bedding, fake eggs, and real eggs out because the lip was too low. If you see that problem (and you probably will not) just raise the lip a couple of inches. For someone of your ability that won’t be a problem.

I agree, well done. You should be proud.

Thank you very much
It's about 3 in high (two of my boards split when I was tearing apart the pallet) I was thinking of adding a roosting perch on the front with the extra wood. I'm afraid it's to big though

 

[aart]

Nice start!

Is that it's final location?
Might need a sharply angled top so they don't roost(sleep) on it.

 

[aggie2013]

Nice start!

Is that it's final location?
Might need a sharply angled top so they don't roost(sleep) on it.

No. it needs to be moved into the coop. I thought about that. Hopefully they'll use the roosting bars instead

 

[aart]

Quote: Well, if the roosts are long enough for all your birds(1 foot per bird)......and higher than the nests by at least a foot...might be fine.
Just be ready to be flexible and do some modifications, you've got the skills...... don't have to be pretty, just functional. ;-)