Hey Mike! Thank you for your honest and transparent review! We love hearing back from our customers, which allows us to makes things right along with changes to improve our nest box👍So again, thank you! If ok with you, I would like to hopefully provide some clarity on just a few points from your video. 1st. I am terribly sorry about the sticker not being properly aligned. That never should have happened and I will pass this critical info along! 2nd. We will have a solution to that wire floor sometimes being a little warped taken care of next month👍 3rd. The hinged back is not designed to hinged inward when configured as a front rollout. This feature is only designed to be used for REAR rollout configuration. You have it assembled as a front (which in this configuration we designed it to keep the back from opening. 4th. Also the rotating predator locks are only designed to be used when the nest box is configured in the REAR rollout position. They are not to be used when configured as a front rollout, as they are not needed. 5th. We do mention in the manual that a hammer or rubber mallet is needed to fully insert the carriage bolt into the red roost bar. However, we could make this clearer for you the customer. I will pass this info alone! Again thank you so much for your time in making this video and providing us with feedback! This really does help us! Please let me know if you have any other suggestion or question! Support@hengear.com!
Thanks for the info. I have made a couple of mods to it to fix a couple of the concerns i had. Ill have more reviews coming as the ladies settle in. Take care.
In fairness I think the problem comes from the manual. It’s really confusing and the video is just the manual animated. Maybe a quick construction video (I could do this if I’m In town) would really really help. If the manual was clearer I think a few of the concerns ( like not able to get in the rear with the front collection) would have been understood
@@instantchiro85 Really appreciated your feedback on our manual. We love hearing from our customers and their suggestions, as it's the best way for us to make improvements to our nest boxes!
Keep on mind, you dont need that thick gauge steel for a nesting box. Chickens dont weigh 30 pounds each. The thinner, the easier itll be to hang up on the wall. The heavier the more chances of it falling off the wall and crushing ypur chickens
The openings are the same size if you assemble them both the same way. I have the same one from Amazon (just green) and it can be assembled with slant foreward or backward making the openings the same size
Why should the back open with the way you installed it? It would be mounted on a wall anyways. I think most of the issues u had could be fixed if assembled properly. The Amazon one wouldn't work for me unless installed inside the coop. You should take this video down or add some notes about how installed it wrong.
The Hengear seems to have a lot of good points, but seems to fall down on some of their tolerances/clearances (noted from a couple of reviews, I do not have one). What I don't like about it, is with egg collection on the entry side, the entry is fairly small for larger breeds, and I have some of the larger breeds. The good points on the Amazon one, the taller opening, wider entry pad into the box - but it does lack privacy curtain (easily added). Both models look easy to clean, and would also discourage mites due to non-porous materials. As for the separation, it has been my experience that it is not necessary, given when 'nature calls', they will nest together, even ignoring some pecking order (if that is extreme, then maybe not). Hens do not have an attachment to their own eggs, and will 'adopt' other eggs in the mix when wanting to go broody particularly. Clearly not an issue with roll away boxes anyway. Primarily to say, they are not possessive over their own eggs, rejecting others, it is pretty much the opposite. For the colour red, I do not believe it is critical or even preferred. What seems preferred is a nice, quiet, private space to concentrate on the business at hand. From their wild fowl origins, they laid under bushes etc. So atmosphere/safety over colour. Even though chickens have fantastic eyesight and colour recognition.
The top on the back should be inside of the lips from the sides.. . Hard to explain but yea, mine was a pain to put together and the instructions didn’t help much. The back is pointless, next time i have it down I’m just gonna remove it. I have mostly duel purposes birds, its a tight fit but they seem to like it.
@user-kt5fj4ys1l (Kerry). Broodiness is hormonal, usually brought on by warmer weather (resulting in higher body temperature). It really does not matter if there is one, or more eggs in there, she will sit. That is how you spot the early stages of broody, when they take too long in the nesting box (hours). And then, it is best to get them straight to the broody cage (aka "the broody breaker"), because the quicker you spot it, the quicker you break it. A broody breaker is something like a medium dog cage, but with a smaller mesh floor put in (so their feet do not get damaged), up off the ground to get cool air to their undercarriage, with food, water, a resting perch (wide plank is fine), and placed in a cool location. I have a smaller flock, all different breeds, and all have names. So checking on them, it is easy for me to spot one of the girls in there for too long (more than two hours). If she has an egg under her, she is going into broody. If she does not have an egg under her, she is likely egg-bound. On the second day of 'taking too long', I put them in chicken jail (the broody breaker). They roost with the flock at night, but back in jail the next day. Two days usually does it if it is caught early. But I do have a buff orpington, notoriously broody breed. She is a super lovely chicken though, and one of my favourites. I often call her the Ginger Whinger, because she does a lot of talking. Her proper name is Lucy, Lucille Butter Ball.
@@user-kt5fj4ys1l No worries. The extra eggs (even fake eggs) in the nesting box is just for training. They actually do not mind communal laying at all. They are not possessive over their 'own eggs' at all. Weird. But, I do recommend at least two nesting areas if possible. If the pecking order is fairly extreme, the lower in the order are likely to lay outside the box. So in the case of really small flock, and only one box, divided box may be the thing. They are all highly individual, with preferences, and with insecurities, so it is a matter of adaptation to your flock. This is all the smaller backyard flock thing. Things may be different in flocks of hundreds of birds.
It would be nice to be able to from the factory, i have already modified mine so the back pushes up nicely and has a latch. Even with it up against the wall if i decide to use it out in the run its good to have a functioning back with a latch.
Hey Mike! Thank you for your honest and transparent review! We love hearing back from our customers, which allows us to makes things right along with changes to improve our nest box👍So again, thank you!
If ok with you, I would like to hopefully provide some clarity on just a few points from your video.
1st. I am terribly sorry about the sticker not being properly aligned. That never should have happened and I will pass this critical info along!
2nd. We will have a solution to that wire floor sometimes being a little warped taken care of next month👍
3rd. The hinged back is not designed to hinged inward when configured as a front rollout. This feature is only designed to be used for REAR rollout configuration. You have it assembled as a front (which in this configuration we designed it to keep the back from opening.
4th. Also the rotating predator locks are only designed to be used when the nest box is configured in the REAR rollout position. They are not to be used when configured as a front rollout, as they are not needed.
5th. We do mention in the manual that a hammer or rubber mallet is needed to fully insert the carriage bolt into the red roost bar. However, we could make this clearer for you the customer. I will pass this info alone!
Again thank you so much for your time in making this video and providing us with feedback! This really does help us! Please let me know if you have any other suggestion or question! Support@hengear.com!
Thanks for the info. I have made a couple of mods to it to fix a couple of the concerns i had. Ill have more reviews coming as the ladies settle in. Take care.
In fairness I think the problem comes from the manual. It’s really confusing and the video is just the manual animated. Maybe a quick construction video (I could do this if I’m In town) would really really help. If the manual was clearer I think a few of the concerns ( like not able to get in the rear with the front collection) would have been understood
@@instantchiro85 Really appreciated your feedback on our manual. We love hearing from our customers and their suggestions, as it's the best way for us to make improvements to our nest boxes!
Thanks for the reply. Looks like he just assembled it for the wrong use.
Keep on mind, you dont need that thick gauge steel for a nesting box. Chickens dont weigh 30 pounds each. The thinner, the easier itll be to hang up on the wall. The heavier the more chances of it falling off the wall and crushing ypur chickens
The openings are the same size if you assemble them both the same way. I have the same one from Amazon (just green) and it can be assembled with slant foreward or backward making the openings the same size
Why should the back open with the way you installed it? It would be mounted on a wall anyways. I think most of the issues u had could be fixed if assembled properly. The Amazon one wouldn't work for me unless installed inside the coop. You should take this video down or add some notes about how installed it wrong.
Yes please, do you have a link to the Amazon one? There are a lot of similar ones on there and some say they are cheaply made. Thank you!
Not listed anymore but many like it on Amazon. I definitely suggest them over an crazy expensive Hengear
The Hengear seems to have a lot of good points, but seems to fall down on some of their tolerances/clearances (noted from a couple of reviews, I do not have one). What I don't like about it, is with egg collection on the entry side, the entry is fairly small for larger breeds, and I have some of the larger breeds. The good points on the Amazon one, the taller opening, wider entry pad into the box - but it does lack privacy curtain (easily added).
Both models look easy to clean, and would also discourage mites due to non-porous materials.
As for the separation, it has been my experience that it is not necessary, given when 'nature calls', they will nest together, even ignoring some pecking order (if that is extreme, then maybe not). Hens do not have an attachment to their own eggs, and will 'adopt' other eggs in the mix when wanting to go broody particularly. Clearly not an issue with roll away boxes anyway. Primarily to say, they are not possessive over their own eggs, rejecting others, it is pretty much the opposite.
For the colour red, I do not believe it is critical or even preferred. What seems preferred is a nice, quiet, private space to concentrate on the business at hand. From their wild fowl origins, they laid under bushes etc. So atmosphere/safety over colour. Even though chickens have fantastic eyesight and colour recognition.
I bought a medium hanger and I am not having any issues with the back door went together just fine. Crazy you had to many issues.
They never got used to it. They like the simple Gray plastic ones.
The top on the back should be inside of the lips from the sides.. . Hard to explain but yea, mine was a pain to put together and the instructions didn’t help much. The back is pointless, next time i have it down I’m just gonna remove it. I have mostly duel purposes birds, its a tight fit but they seem to like it.
Thanks for the info.
I appreciate your video, Thanks for the video
Welcome
Thank you for the review , can you pleas post the amazon nest box item number ?
Thank you.
No longer listed but many like it with different names. All from China
Love my hen gear. You have assembled the hen gear incorrectly it appears.
I guess so. Glad it works for you.
Can you please let me know which one from amazon? A link?
That one is no longer listed but many just like it. Seems its just under different names. All from China.
should not have broody hen when eggs roll away and hidden
Thanks, these little brats are out of control. They are spoiled.
@user-kt5fj4ys1l (Kerry). Broodiness is hormonal, usually brought on by warmer weather (resulting in higher body temperature). It really does not matter if there is one, or more eggs in there, she will sit. That is how you spot the early stages of broody, when they take too long in the nesting box (hours). And then, it is best to get them straight to the broody cage (aka "the broody breaker"), because the quicker you spot it, the quicker you break it. A broody breaker is something like a medium dog cage, but with a smaller mesh floor put in (so their feet do not get damaged), up off the ground to get cool air to their undercarriage, with food, water, a resting perch (wide plank is fine), and placed in a cool location.
I have a smaller flock, all different breeds, and all have names. So checking on them, it is easy for me to spot one of the girls in there for too long (more than two hours). If she has an egg under her, she is going into broody. If she does not have an egg under her, she is likely egg-bound. On the second day of 'taking too long', I put them in chicken jail (the broody breaker). They roost with the flock at night, but back in jail the next day. Two days usually does it if it is caught early. But I do have a buff orpington, notoriously broody breed. She is a super lovely chicken though, and one of my favourites. I often call her the Ginger Whinger, because she does a lot of talking. Her proper name is Lucy, Lucille Butter Ball.
@@davinasquirrel7672 there you go!! I had chickens for over 40 years and I just learned something new.. Cheers
@@user-kt5fj4ys1l No worries. The extra eggs (even fake eggs) in the nesting box is just for training. They actually do not mind communal laying at all. They are not possessive over their 'own eggs' at all. Weird.
But, I do recommend at least two nesting areas if possible. If the pecking order is fairly extreme, the lower in the order are likely to lay outside the box.
So in the case of really small flock, and only one box, divided box may be the thing.
They are all highly individual, with preferences, and with insecurities, so it is a matter of adaptation to your flock.
This is all the smaller backyard flock thing. Things may be different in flocks of hundreds of birds.
We just would u need to open back it’s sitting against a wall
It would be nice to be able to from the factory, i have already modified mine so the back pushes up nicely and has a latch. Even with it up against the wall if i decide to use it out in the run its good to have a functioning back with a latch.
You bought nest boxes? Just build it. $80? FFS. Know how many other things you can do with $80?
Right!