Wine Crate Nest Boxes

[D56auction]

Here are two nests that I built last summer. I use the 6 box nest for my flock of 25 and it works well. I find the wooden wine crates at a local dealer and get them for free when I buy a few bottles. (It's not hard)

A few design points...make a STEEP roof to prevent the hens from roosting (and pooping) on the top. This is used inside but the roof keeps the hens out of the boxes except to lay and they seem to like the darkness.

I cut the boxes down so they are square for space and materials savings. I ran them through the table saw and reused the back piece to shorten them. This wouldn't be necessary.

The boxes lift out for cleaning, although I will say they stay very clean. Mount your boxes lower than your roosts.

It anyone is interested in dimensions, let me know.

Have fun!

Jack

 

[SarahBee]

this looks awesome!!!!

 

[thasista]

That is gorgeous!! I do like the steep roof covering!

 

[TheCrazyChick]

I have a friend who owns a wine store. Will be making a trip there TODAY for sure! I LOVE this. My nest boxes are already done and attached to the side of my coop, but I could see cutting them down to fit and inserting them into the current boxes, then removing to clean. Did I mention I LOVE this?

 

[RedneckGurl]

Oooooo....I love this! How very practical and yet so very elegant! I wonder if my local liquor store would part with a few wine boxes the next time I'm there? Can't hurt to ask!

 

[Norskchicklover]

I love those nesting boxes! Was just searching google for Wine Crate nesting boxes and this came up. They are perfect! Would you share dimensions?

 

[D56auction]

Sorry for the slow response. Here are the dimensions for the two box nest...

The bottom is
2 pc 2 x 4 x 28"
2 pc 2 x 4 x 22"
1 pc 1 x 3 x 31" for the roost

The sides are
2 pc 1 x 12 cut on an angle with 21" in the front and 32" in the back

The roof is quarter inch plywood - 20 x 33"

I also have a back to stiffen the boxes and eliminate any drafts and this is also quarter inch plywood 32 x 31.

The wine boxes were made about 15" square. I removed the back piece, cut down the bottom and sides and put the reinstalled the back in to make the wine crate smaller. You may get lucky and find a 6 bottle crate and not need to do any adjusting. Your overall dimensions will vary a bit in width depending on the size of the wine crates you use. It was a fun little project and could easily be done without power tools.

Jack

 

[Norskchicklover]

Hi Jack,

Thank you so much for the dimensions. Do you happen to have the dimensions for the 6 box nest also? I am just now getting to the project, and I'm not usually so good with this kind of thing. I want to make sure I get it right!

Thank you so much!

I'm sure my Maran's will just love this. They are after all French, so I'm sure sleeping in wine boxes will be perfect for them!

Elin

 

[Rikki Bogen]

Would love the measurements for the 6 box
Thanks

 

[BLoch]

Hello Jack

Thank you for the help. This is my take on your 6 wine box nesting box.