Comments on: How to build external nest boxes for your chicken coop

By: Ashley

Ashley — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 03:53:23 +0000

That’s exactly what I needed to know. Thanks for the quick reply! I am so excited about building this coop and raising chickens!!!

By: The Garden Coop

The Garden Coop — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 01:55:32 +0000

Ashley, three nest boxes is plenty for ten hens. Five boxes would be overkill. So I would leave out the removable boxes indicated in the plans. You also won't need the egg door, though you could leave it or add a window or something else in that spot. Hope this helps.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 01:50:54 +0000

Question: I’m about to make The Garden Coop and am planning to build on the exterior egg boxes from the start. I’m planning to have 8-10 hens. If I add the ext. boxes to the plan, should I also include the egg boxes already built into the original plan or is that overkill? Are they necessary with that many hens? That would be 5 hen boxes (2 interior, 3 exterior). I know from your notes that the exterior boxes would add needed square footage for that many hens, but am I removing needed square footage by leaving in the extra boxes? Also, I’m planning to have the ladder leading to the front of the pen, instead of up the middle of it, so that should add floor space. Thanks for your help!

By: The Garden Coop

The Garden Coop — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 06:28:40 +0000

Robert, thanks for your notes and tips. I have the two one-by-two (19 x 38 mm) side supports near the edge of the opening, though they are attached to the box part and not to the door itself. Then there are the one-by-two door stops at the top of each box. Though it’s not a perfect seal, these do fairly well to limit drafts and light into the boxes.

By: Robert

Robert — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 00:02:49 +0000

Hi, I have built the nesting box, but I just realised that I didn’t put some 19 x 38 mm down the sides of the flip-down hatch. I guess that you put that on yours to stop any drafts. I DID put it where the flip door closes at the top of the flip door, but not on the sides. I made mine from 12 mm plywood. 19 mm would have been better, but 12 mm was what I already had. My flip door does close nice and snug — no gaps — so I hope it will be okay this winter. I hope that all makes sense. Thanks.

By: The Garden Coop

The Garden Coop — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 23:01:44 +0000

Shelly, we have 9 in ours, and they do just fine. But I would recommend giving them regular access to a larger outside run if you can. If not, you might want to consider building The Garden Coop to be larger. There are a few ways to go about this. Please email me if you’d like more details.

By: Shelly

Shelly — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 22:44:35 +0000

I have bought the plans for the Garden Coop and am planning on adding the outside nesting box. Is the enclosed run plenty big to handle 10 hens?

By: Sam Dixie

Sam Dixie — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 16:18:34 +0000

Thanks, in that case I will go with your figures.

By: The Garden Coop

The Garden Coop — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 03:34:47 +0000

I’m not sure, Sam. It already looks rather cozy in there as is — my hens seem to have just enough room to stand up to get in and out of the box. Maybe someone who has tried this approach can chime in with a better response about how much to lower the height.

By: Sam Dixie

Sam Dixie — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 03:06:54 +0000

I am converting a large doghouse to a hen house and I like and will use your plans. I read somewhere that you can ensure that your hens do not become egg eaters if they do not have room to stand in the nesting boxes. With that in mind how much would you recomend cutting down on the heights.