Using homemade nesting boxes for chickens is a great way to reduce cost. Many small sized farm animals like chickens, ducks, quails, rabbits etc. require nesting boxes for security purpose and for sleeping or raising young. Each type of birds or animals need boxes of different sizes.
Chickens also need nesting boxes for laying eggs, sleeping and taking rest. They prefer a cozy nesting box that holds two or three birds in close quarters. For an example, if you have a flock with 10 to 12 chickens then you can keep 3 to 5 nesting boxes inside your chicken coop.
For accommodating your bird’s preferences, you have to design your own nesting boxes. Here we are describing some ways for making homemade nesting boxes for your chickens.
Mounted Nesting Boxes
You can make mounted nesting boxes for your chickens by using wood or nontraditional materials. You can make this type of boxes by attaching it with the side of the coop, hutch or tree by using screws or bolts.
Mounted boxes provide the birds a secure place for sleeping and taking rest.
The main benefit of this type of boxes is it’s elevated status. The box can’t tip and injure animals or break eggs if you securely mounted it.
Mounted boxes have some problems. It’s harder to clean a mounted box properly than other type of boxes.
Wooden Nesting Boxes
You can make wooden homemade nesting boxes for your chickens by using scrap wood like old pallets and by the wood left after another project. Plywood works best for making nest boxes.
Make the boxes about 6 inches tall with bases of 12 inches by 12 inches or 12 inches by 18 inches, depending mainly on the amount of space you have available.
You can also use plastic or metal for making wall of the nesting boxes. Small birds or animals can cuddle in the boxes or perch on the sides when not nesting.
Removable Nesting Boxes
Removable nesting boxes are like mounted boxes. Removable nesting boxes are made from wood or nontraditional materials. But removable boxes can easily be cleaned than mounted boxes. I think it’s the main benefits of this type of boxes.
You can place the box anywhere you want inside your coop or hutch and hose them off for cleaning. For preventing tipping, it will be better if the box become heavy with wide bases.
Your boxes need support if you use light material for making the boxes. In this case attach the boxes to one another for support.
Nontraditional Nesting Boxes
You can apply your own creativity when making nesting boxes for your chickens from nontraditional materials. You can use almost anything that can be a good nest for your chickens.
You can use a five gallon shop buckets as nesting box which is tripped over with slightly raised openings to keep the chicks from falling out.
You can make a good mounted nesting box by using milk crates. But it’s little bit light and tippy for making a removable box unless weighted.
You can also make a good nesting box option for your chickens by using cat litter boxes. There are many more home used materials available. Use your own creativity and make good and comfortable nesting boxes for your chickens.
Making homemade nesting boxes for chickens is very easy. You can easily make some good pieces of nesting boxes for your chickens by using traditional or nontraditional used home materials. While making nesting boxes, consider that it is comfortable enough for your chickens.
