Easy to Make Nesting Boxes for Chickens - Chicken Egg Laying Boxes - Chicken Egg Production
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- čas přidán 23. 08. 2024
- beckyshomestead...
There are a lot of different designs and options out there for chicken nest boxes. I wanted to design one that's (a) Easy to make yourself, and (b) something your chickens will love. This nest box is so easy to make and so inexpensive I think anyone can do it. And I have found that my chickens love love love this nest box design.
I really love this idea, it's easy, cheap and for somebody like me that is not a handy person I think it is right within my "skills"... I will be doing this very soon... I am so eggcited!
drill a 1/2 hole in each corner before cutting to prevent over cutting or tear-out. the radius is much stronger than a corner. good luck
That was as advertised. Easy and effective. I like the complete, easy directions. It is usually late at night when I am watching nesting box videos.
The nest design works great. I found 4 hens all stuffed in one box, even though I made 2 other boxes that are empty...
And i suggest that you should make door lip a little higher if you use pine shavings.
Another great video! I am just now seeing it is from 7 years ago! God Bless your Homesteading!
I made two of these, and they are brilliant! They have served me well for over 2 years now, and are easy to clean. Thanks for sharing!
...ungh. Where has this idea been for all of my chicken-raising years?
I wonder how many people this video helped!🤔. Very good video by the way!
Easy to build move around and sterilize and get rid of mites etc. I've raised chickens for 40 years and this is one of the best innovations I've seen. Thanks for sharing!
This is by far the best easiest box I have seen. Just fantastic. We used a playhouse for them to sleep and lay in but this is much better.
Becky I just want to say you are amazing and when I started considering starting a farm I had no idea what I was getting into and you have really helped me!
I'm starting my third micro-flock. The last flock ended tragically when I fostered them out to some friends for a few months. That was in 2013. I have an excellent coop, but it became a storage area, and I gave away my nesting box to a friend. I was looking for something easy I could make (I am not very good with a saw). Not only is this easy to make, it is affordable, large, and easy to clean. Thanks for the great info.
thank ya two. i have 13 chickens was getting about 8 eggs a day (some chix are still young) didnt even think of the nest box being over crowded. I like the fact your guys way makes it easy and reusable to clean. much love
Reply back to Asia - Regarding ventilation, one can add in small wall vents (available from home repair outlets) to aid in keeping the boxes as cool as possible. Anytime it gets over 100, birds are stressed - make sure there is shade for them and for their shelters, and keep the straw in the nest fresh by cleaning out the nest box regularly. Keep a good supply of clean water available - they'll use it and dirty it quickly so this is a continuing job. If they're in a shaded building they will normally do all right.
I like the idea of using the commercial boxes like this for this application. Cheap, easy to clean, easy to replace when they break,... Nice Job!
Awesome. What I was about to spend a week and a thousand bucks on I can now do with cinder blocks, plywood, 4x4, scrap amd old totes. Thank you!
a thousand bucks on nesting boxes? lol, don't share that, makes you sound less than smart.
***** lmbo
Sean Patric
Dont feel bad, I too was planning something elaborate! This idea saved me lots of $
These look so fantastic. We're going to be starting with our very first chickens ever in the spring, and this was the BEST diy video for building nest boxes I've seen. So brilliant, and I never would have thought of it. Very easy to clean and very easy egg access. Just perfect. Thank you so much.
I started using this idea with my chickens and they layed more and i could tell they were extremely happy
I'm glad you like it.
Wow! This is sooo easy. What a great idea. Wish I saw this years ago when I had my farm. This is the BEST nesting box I've seen yet. Thanks for posting!
I remember watching your videos when i was younger. Now im starting to watch them again and i love it :)
The nest box looks great!its simple,comfortable,cheap and easy to clean...that was an awesome idea using the bins...thank you for sharing your fantastic idea!..Please share more.I will be watching😀
They do look really great I have to say, are they WATER PROOF??
This is so cool, I am so happy I saw this. I have one chicken that I am caring for and I wanted to make her comfortable. This is great, thank you.
Thanks!!! I made 3 of these today and my chickens loved it!
Cool nest boxes , easy to make , chooks love them , what more could anybody want , thumbs up.
Thanks and that is a beautiful horse in the background during the folding paper segment
Great idea - simple and easy. And kudos on the video production quality. These are the perfect solution for nest boxes in my portable runs.
I'd agree with Mr Dunn - try some different sizes. I'm inclined to use somewhat smaller bins.
This is such a good idea. Plus it is so easy to make and it saves money.
Thank you Scott!!!! And Becky!!! 🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔
This is a great idea. You do not know what you have done! Thankyou so much!
You are correct Cindy, some breeds of hens do prefer to seek out dark, small nesting boxes... when given the choice, most chicken breeds will not use these large plastic bins. Offer several sizes and shapes, along with the traditional nesting boxes and you'll see quickly what they prefer...
I just made one like this and mounted it to my coop. The girls haven't used it yet, but it looks nice and was super easy! Thanks
Excellent!.. this what I am looking for, hopeful my chicken will be very happy from now on. Thanks
Absolutely love this video! Great explanation 🩵
Really like this idea. I have tried everything from milk crates to 5 gallon buckets. This looks promising. We will see how it does. Thanks again.
I did this and placed on in each of three coops... I also included decoy wooden eggs to encourage the birds to lay. It's been months, all of my laying hens prefer the traditional nest boxes an not a single egg has been produced inside the plastic tubs... was a nice idea though if it had only worked...
Great idea. A couple of things to watch out for though. With the moisture that builds up, with or without vents, there is a risk of mite infestation. Also these tupperware boxes encourage hens to become very broody. I find something a little more breathable and not so private and dark healthier for my mini flock.
I made something like this. I made four of them and I cut smaller slots near the lids and small squares in the lid to give some ventilation and light. (I keep them in the garage, so they don’t get wet.)
On two of them, I put the entrance on the smaller side because I have a few bantams and I didn’t want them bullied in the nest box. So, the holes are just small enough to deter my bigger girls from trying to kick them out. I also have one of these up higher since my bantams like to get up where the others can’t.
So far, it has worked out, and they have mostly laid in the nest boxes.
I also have a couple old drawers filled with hay that they sometimes lay in if someone is hogging their favorite spot. They don’t have any high sides or a lid since it’s just drawers, but I figure there’s bound to be that odd ball hen who doesn’t like to go inside something (since most wild birds have open nests), and sure enough, they will lay in it and pretty much anything nest-like.
this is perfect for my little silkie hens! thank you!
Your welcome☀️❤️☀️
what an easy and LIGHTWEIGHT idea for nesting boxes! probably easy to clean and maintain too :) those look like happy healthy chickens too! your channel is great! i am always inspired after visiting it. i live in the city now and can't have chickens so no fresh eggs for me :( you make me miss the simpler life. someday i hope to get back to it... someday :)
My chickens like covered kitty boxes I find at junk stores.
Excellent idea and probably cheaper than all the wood used to make nests.
Having an issue with the hens not using their current nesting boxes, they prefer to lay on the floor of the coop in a corner, going to try this option to see if they prefer this better, Awesome ides, Thanks for sharing this! (Tried putting golf balls in their previous nesting boxes, they rooted them out, hopefully this will work!)
Haha he just threw the hay in every box like he didn’t want to be here XD
Ha! Genius!!! And you can STACK them! BONUS! And if needed, they can move outside, like for broodies and their chicks! BRILLIANT! :) Woo Hoo!
I bet the hens would LOVE this!
Wow, when I looked up cheap, easy laying boxes, this really takes the cake. It's simple beyond belief yet efficient. I need to ask though Becky, the measurement of gallons, are these imperial gallons or liquid gallons?
You need to use cedar chipps in stead, it helps to keep the mites off a setting hen. Never use hay or straw mites hide in the hollow tubes of hay or straw and will get on them at nite. Also use pvc pipe for roost mites will hide in cracks of wood and get on them at nite.
This was great thanks. I made one of these for my three chooks. They used it from day one. They love it!
We did something similar, only we use 10 gallon totes, the chickens, the bantams and our laying ducks use them. The are super easy to clean and sanitize as needed.
Great simple to follow instructions! Making Two today!!!!
Cindy, I'd say... construct several of different sizes and then see which the hens prefer... best way to really know, is to offer options.
I thought this was a great idea, I purchased three totes (opaque) and placed one in each of my three chicken coops. I would just like to share, that given the option of traditional nest boxes and these totes, the chickens have universally selected the traditional wall mounted nest boxes. IF the tote is the only option, they will lay in them... but given a choice, they avoid them... too bad, it was a great idea/concept. Thanks for sharing... it's nice to think outside of the "nestbox" :)
I had the same result, until I put the rubbermaid nest box up on bricks to make them about 18 inches off the ground, then the chickens liked the rubbermaid one better. Since the totes are easier to clean, I prefer that they use the tote one.
Some of my hens have lately taken to laying in our outside goat hay feeder I build out of 50 gallon drum. I have to always keep it full of hay to discourage the chickens. Also, inside the goat house, we have an 18 gallon tote with no top, that was MEANT to hold hay for the goats. chickens love to lay in that too. Maybe they just like being around goats.
Great Job, thanks for the simple and efficient idea. Well illustrated my friend, Love the no nonsense straight to the point instructions. A+
I made these. Took about 5 min for 3. The ladies love them.
thanks for the info my guinea hens and chickens all have been laying eggs in small nesting boxes so now I can make them bigger ones
This was so helpful exactly what I am looking for
This is so smart 👏
I like this video as I would prefer a way to easy clean the nesting boxes and these if I start them off with these they will never know the other sort of nesting box thanks for the help
I like that they are portable and can be taken out and cleaned with a hose.
dan Hamakua Because Asia's comment does not have a place to reply, I will reply to Asia here. Asia, you could make a similar opening on top the way you made the side opening for the hen to go in. Now, hinge the top cutout piece by making three or four tiny holes along its shorter side in a straight line with a drill. Make the same number of holes on the big portion of the lid right next to the cut out. Make sure you line the holes up on the cutout and on the lid, Don't make the holes too close to the edge or the plastic will crack. Then, connect the holes with those little metal circles that open like for a key chain. What you have will look like the cover of a notebook. This will allow you to lift it like you would a notebook cover to create an opening without taking off the entire lid. That way it will make it easier to reach down and pick up the eggs. Just close the flap in cold weather and leave it open in the hottest weather.
In the hot weather, to keep out flies and allow for ventilation, you can make a screen with a frame to fit over the opening. Think of it as the first page of your spiral notebook, right under the cover. To keep it dark and cozy for the hen inside you cut put a little straw or hay on top of the screen. It will still let hot air escape since heat rises, but will keep it dark inside.
Asia, I thumbed down Philip Clark's comment. He has a right to his opinion, but sometimes, I feel it would be better not to express our innermost thoughts and feelings.
+Vernon France Asia is correct especially here where the temperatures have been soaring up to 40 degrees c. Thank you for this idea. Thats exactly what I will do!
This is so neat. Wish I saw this BEFORE we built our chicken house LOL.. Thanks for sharing. :-)
Amazing video,thank you!
This is the best idea ever!
I've been using "rubbermaid" type nest boxes for 2 years. I have black and gold Sexlinks, delawares, Rhode Island Reds, and Buff Orpingtons. All my hens use the plastic boxes just fine. The only issue I've had is that they all want to lay in just 2 or 3 of the boxes and I end up with them lining up for a turn to lay an egg even though I have enough boxes for them each to have one.
Love it.....just had to take my nest box off coop cos predator used it to gain access, but these boxes will be great. Thanks.
This is AWESOME!
Thx for info, I just made this last night, put out this morning, hoping they get interested. to keep hot sun off them, I got some "SUN VISORS" that reflect heat & sun away from item you put SV on. I just tacked a couple on coup side.
Perfect idea!!! Thank you for your help!👌
Is this a 30 Gallon bucket
I made a couple and my hens like them fine. Thanks!
very nice...plenty of room for chicks too.....
great idea if i need to make more nest boxes I'll use this method i used tidy cat litter boxes for the ones i have now
thank you for the awesome idea, Question,
Do the 11 chickens share just 3 laying boxes?
I ordered 15 chicks but will give away 4-5 So will 3 be sufficient?
Yeah, well I built my coop with 4 nest boxes for 6 chickens but they all want to pile on top of each other (or at least 2 at a time) in the same box. I took out the dividers out and it causes much less stress and piling on. Chickens are social birds and do not want "private space"...
Great idea but honestly, all you need is the top off that, laid down on its side length wise with the top over top to protect from rain. No need to cut etc.
How clever and easy,thank you!!!
I see this as a nest box that I like for it's simplicity, but I question the out of chicken waste/ manure the top of the box will collect
So , simple its a great idea easy to clean and get eggs.
Really liked this video. Will try this variety.
Hi Becky
I have been following you chicken programme which is very helpful. I would like to know why sometimes my chicken will eat eggs after laying.Thank
Arjune
Guyana
SA
Arjune Latchman Usually it is because they are lacking protein or calcium. Do you also give them oyster shell?
ohh it´s a good idea.
I think i will do there too....
Thanks for inspiration.
Greetings from Germany.
What kind of hay do you recommend and how often would you change out the hay?
I LIKE ITY,A GOOD CHEAP WAY TO MAKE A NEST BOX.
Someone is a genius!
OMG! those look easy to make
Very simple to make and cheap too.
Scarry at 2:18 mark , pulling an open blade towards your femoral artery. Plastics tend to give way when cut with a blade this way. It's tough and than it just gives way. Stay safe. Great idea for the box
I placed one in each of our three coops... given the option, at least our chickens prefer the smaller standard nesting boxes mounted on the wall. Not one bird has laid an egg in the tupperware box... nice idea though, maybe other poultry owners will have different results. My wife gave me the "I told you they wouldn't use those" look... (">
Love the idea, please make more videos! This helped me alot
Making one for my broody hens today....hoping for chicky babies
Hello you won't stop that chickens sleep up of the ground do u have perches? If you don't want the sleeping on the nest boxes best thing to do is take the lids off at night or just put a board on top so you can sweep the poop off :) hope this helps
Wow, what a great idea !!! Looking forward to seeing more informative videos !!!
I made 2 nest boxes because I have 9 chickens and 1 large nesting area. However my chickens didn't like it. Wondering of it will take some time for them to get use to it. I live in the desert so the tubs may be too hot. I'm not sure.
What a neat idea...
I got really frustrated using a utility knife. So, take my advice and use a jig saw! Worked great....just drill holes in the corners and use a blade with a high number of small teeth.
do you need a ramp for the boxes if you do the set of 3 and place them on the cinder blocks off the ground? do the hens just fly up there or do they need a little perch in front of the door? thanks --
How are these working? Looks like they are outside of the coop? I’m thinking of having a coop where they roost and have the nests just outside, yet still in the protected run. What do your think?
This is a GREAT idea!
I am curious to know whether:
(1) the hens poop in the nests and
(2) do chickens "hang out" on top of the totes and get the lids all dirty and covered with manure?
Excellent idea! What size bin would you recommend for bantam chickens?
VERY CLEVER THANKS FOR SOME IDEAS
awesome