USING CARDBOARD BOXES AS TEMPORARY NESTING BOXES

[O.C.Chick]

Hello! Another Nubie question...Has anyone ever used cardboard boxes as temporary nesting boxes? (Think Staples-type filing box with lid, with entry hole cut-out and bedding inside).

I'm looking for a disposable option to use until I design & build a permanent nesting house inside of my coop.

Any thoughts/experience/comments? Am I crazy to think this might work?

I live in So. California...very mild without much rain...The area in coop is covered by an overhang so boxes wouldn't get wet. My 30' x 5' coop will be completed next week...Don't yet have any chickens (Planning on 3 to 5 silkie pullets, but can't find any within driving distance in my area yet. Any suggestions on finding silkies in So Cal would be much appreciated too!!!)

Thanks for any info you might have!!!

Alyssa

p.s. You can see my coop-building in progress at www.florafauna.info

 

[spook]

Sure, why not. It can be laid on its side, lid cut in half , duct tape the 1/2 lid side on, put shredded paper, hay, shavings what ever you like. Use a 5 gallon pail laid on its side stuff some hay in. These creatures are not picky! Put a spare tire in there, fill with hay and they would love it. Good luck and enjoy them, you will see that they are not fickle!

 

[geareduplyn]

If you can get the two peice orange shipping boxes from the supermaket they make great nests and will last for at least a season. I would put them together and then cut a corner off so the hens could get in.

 

[digitS']

I use cardboard boxes, Alyssa.

The nest is on a shelf. The birds can't get beside, behind, or on top of the box.

It is nearly twice the size as it needs to be, which allows 2 hen in there at a time if they are in a hurry. There was even 3 in there once to celebrate a pullet's 1st egg

. I've only got 4.

Not only are they not picky, I think they like the feel of the cardboard. If that makes any sense. And, when it gets soiled - into the garbage it goes and a new, free one takes its place

.

Steve

 

[becky3086]

I have not used boxes but I have used 5 gallon buckets when I didn't have anything else. I don't see why the boxes wouldn't work.

 

[the1much]

i have 5 gallon buckets,, and old dog kennels,, and 1 lays her on a shelf , and 2 on the floor,, lol

 

[O.C.Chick]

Thanks! for everyone's input!!! Good to know that my idea was not too crazy (at least THIS time!

)

Speaking of cardboard, any thoughts on using shredded cardboard for a portion of the bedding? I have a HEAVY duty shredder, and currently use it to shred cardboard to use as bedding for my worm composting bins...Worms like to eat chicken poop, so I could use the soiled chicken bedding in my worm bins and REALLY recycle!!

 

[Their Other Mother]

I used heavy duty lettuce boxes from costco for a while. Turned upside down and stacked. At the time I only had a 6 x 8 tractor and it was supposed to rain so much to my husbands dismay I used the jacuzzi cover to cover the tractor. It kept the chicks and the boxes dry. It was spring time in AZ though.........

 

[ssteiner]

Hi Alyssa,

Do you live in Orange County? So do we! Such a small world! Send us an email at [email protected]

We're new to chickens as well!

Scott

 

[chickens4jojo]

I use cardboard boxes all the time. My hens won't use the plastic ones I put out for them at all. I also like that you can just "toss" them and replace them for free.