Roll Away Nest Boxes

To accommodate all of the new layers in our flock we updated our nest boxes. We wanted to be able to collect the eggs without having to wait for the chicken to leave the nest. To keep the eggs cleaner we wanted the egg to roll away as soon as the chicken stood up, which also reduces broken eggs. The last requirement was to be able to easily clean the nest box.

With all of these requirements and some ingenuity along with spare parts around the house we came up these beauties. The best part of these nest boxes are their simplicity. There are really only 5 parts. So far they work great and they save us from getting our hands pecked when we collect eggs.

 Below is a parts list:

-         - 6 Gallon Bucket

-          -Fake grass

-          -3” square rubber

-          -Wood board

-          -Wire

Instructions:

Cut 2/3 of the bottom of the bucket rounding the corners.  This is the side the chicken will sit in This cal also be removed for easy cleaning.  Next cut a hole out of the bucket lid but don’t cut near any of the edges and leave one side flat. Attach the hinge to the flat side of the flap, I used rubber and wire. Drill small holes and poke the sharp wire thru the hole while holding the rubber in place. Bend the wire over. Repeat for the lid and the flap.  You can also use this wire to create stops for the flap so it will only open inwards and so it not hang open.  Cut wood board in a round shape to fit into the bucket about 1/3 of the way into the large end.  Cut a flat side tall enough for the egg to roll by with the grass in place. Screw the board in place. Take the small scrap of wood and screw it to the end of the bucket where the chicken will enter. This makes it easier for the chicken to grab on as she jumps in. Cut piece of fake grass so it is the length of the inside of the bucket and fits under the wood wall. No need to glue this down as the ends of the bucket and the wall will hold it in place. This will also allow the fake grass to be removed for cleaning. Screw nest box in place making sure the angle allows the egg to roll just fast enough on the fake grass.

I did nine nest boxes at the same time so I cut round holes in a 4’ x 8’ sheet. I took the pieces I cut out and used them for the wall to separate the chickens from the eggs.

 

 Parts Needed

 

 Insert Chicken Here

 

 Steal Eggs Here

 

 Chickens Like