The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Marches Farmer on February 25, 2017, 03:09:36 pm

Title: Nest Box Idea
Post by: Marches Farmer on February 25, 2017, 03:09:36 pm

I notice in my new BigDug catalogue (www.bigdug.co.uk (http://www.bigdug.co.uk)) that they have 5 large stacking bins (320mmH x 495mmW x 370mmD) for £39 + VAT and carriage.  These are similar to nest boxes I've made by cutting old plastic barrels and a water butt in half (high back, low front, like a dog basket) and are popular with the hens, with nowhere for red mite to hide and simple to hose out.

Title: Re: Nest Box Idea
Post by: Charlie1234 on February 25, 2017, 03:39:35 pm

They sound ok but I prefer to keep hold of my hard earned and either go to the local tip and buy their old barrels + water butts for a couple of quid. Also I have joined freecycle and there are always people giving drums,barrels etc away for free.

Worth a try + cheaper.

Title: Re: Nest Box Idea
Post by: Dave C on February 25, 2017, 06:44:50 pm

Takes 10 seconds to cut the front out of s sheep feed tub.
Put the lid back on and the hens love them.

Plus if one goes broody you can pick it up and place in its own little broody coop without disturbing her.

Title: Re: Nest Box Idea
Post by: Marches Farmer on February 26, 2017, 09:40:12 am

Good idea, but too small for a Jersey Giant!

Title: Re: Nest Box Idea
Post by: Charlie1234 on February 26, 2017, 12:14:04 pm

My mate breeds white + black jersey giants and he only uses old tub +barrels or even old car tyres led down flat + filled with straw or shavings.
Tyre fitting places will let you take them for free around here.

Title: Re: Nest Box Idea
Post by: Womble on February 26, 2017, 01:34:08 pm

Quote from: Charlie1234 on February 26, 2017, 12:14:04 pm

Tyre fitting places will let you take them for free around here.

Somebody gave us a vanful of old tyres a few months ago. They even delivered them free of charge and stacked them up in the gateway for us late one night. Now that's what I call service!  :-[

Title: Re: Nest Box Idea
Post by: doganjo on February 28, 2017, 10:05:36 am

Any plastic box will do - no need to cut bits out of it, hens can jump.  I use a blue recycling box with a brick in the bottom for stability, filled with hay or shredded paper.

Title: Re: Nest Box Idea
Post by: Dans on February 28, 2017, 08:09:49 pm

We've got some ikea plastic storage boxes turned on thier side that the hens seem to prefer over the fancy wooden ones we bought. Although they all seem to fight over one!

Dans

Title: Re: Nest Box Idea
Post by: Womble on February 28, 2017, 08:35:30 pm

OK, I wasn't going to admit to this, but our hens nest in one of these:

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51z88j0H1YL._SX355_.jpg)


It did get a damn good cleanout first though!  ;D