Building A Chicken Coop: Nesting Boxes And Privacy Fence

Building a chicken coop with nesting boxes and a privacy fence is a great way to keep your chickens happy and safe while adding a touch of farm charm to your home. This project doesn't have to be complicated or expensive, and with a few basic supplies and DIY skills, you can create a comfortable and functional space for your flock. Whether you're repurposing existing materials or building from scratch, here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started. First, consider the size and number of boxes your chickens will need, and sketch a design that includes a quiet, private space for the nesting boxes, a sloped roof, and a hinged lid for easy cleaning. Next, gather your materials, including wood, screws, nails, hinges, and bedding, ensuring that the wood is untreated to avoid exposing your chickens to chemicals. Cut and assemble the pieces according to your plan, and don't forget to include proper airflow, ventilation, and shade for your chickens' comfort. Finally, add a roof and a fence for protection and privacy, and you'll have a chicken coop that's both practical and charming!

Chicken nesting box plans and materials

Building nesting boxes for your chickens is a simple project that can save you money and give you control over the design. Nesting boxes are essential for keeping your hens happy and your eggs clean and safe.

Planning and Design

Planning is key when building nesting boxes. A well-thought-out design keeps your hens comfortable, protects eggs, and keeps your coop organised. First, consider the size and number of boxes your flock will need. Standard breeds typically require a 12x12x12-inch box, while larger breeds might need more space. Allocate about 12x12x12 inches per nest box, which is comfortable for most chicken breeds. You should also ensure there are enough boxes to avoid hens competing for spots, which can lead to stress and squabbles.

Next, sketch your design to visualise the build. Standard boxes have a front, back, two sides, a sloped floor, and a lid. The front attaches to the coop walls with the collection tray beneath. Getting the measurements right is crucial, so draw plans to scale if you can. This helps avoid errors when cutting and assembling later on.

Materials

Nesting boxes can be made from inexpensive and easily accessible materials. Here is a list of the materials you will need:

• Untreated wood to avoid exposing your hens to harmful chemicals. Plywood at least 1/2″ thick is a good option as it avoids warping and can be exterior grade.
• Cedar is a naturally rot-resistant wood that looks great stained or painted.
• Screws, nails, and hinges. Galvanised metal or stainless steel hinges are recommended for attaching the lid.
• Soft bedding like straw or wood shavings to cushion the eggs and prevent breakage.

Construction

With your materials gathered and cut to size, it's time to assemble your nesting boxes. Cut everything to size according to your plan, and sand down rough edges to avoid splinters. Secure the pieces together with screws, and be sure to test the door to ensure it opens and closes smoothly. If you are attaching the nesting boxes to your coop, join them to the coop walls with the collection tray beneath.

Customisation

There are several customisations you can add to your nesting boxes to improve their functionality and your hens' comfort. These include:

• A sloped floor with a gentle gradient of around 5-8 degrees to ensure eggs roll away gently without getting damaged or contaminated.
• A hinged lid or an open front for easy cleaning and egg gathering.
• A privacy curtain to make hens feel more secure.
• Metal flashing under the bedding to keep the floor dry and eggs clean.
• An external access hatch to keep the nest cleaner in dirty or muddy coops.
• A spring-loaded door over the collection tray to keep rats and mice out of the eggs.
• A wooden perch in front of the nest box for easy access.

Building the frame

Building a frame for your chicken nesting boxes is a simple process that can be done with basic supplies and tools. Here's a step-by-step guide to constructing a sturdy and durable frame:

Planning and Materials

Start by planning the size and number of boxes your flock will need. Standard chicken breeds typically require a nesting box with dimensions of 12x12x12 inches, while larger breeds may require more space. It's important to ensure that the boxes are slightly elevated, about 12 to 24 inches off the ground, to keep them away from dirt, pests, and debris. Additionally, consider adding a sloped roof to prevent hens from roosting on top. A sketch of your design will help you visualize the final product and prevent mistakes later on.

For the materials, you will need untreated wood to avoid exposing your hens to harmful chemicals. Plywood that is at least 1/2-inch thick is ideal, as it avoids warping and can be exterior grade to prevent rusting. You will also need screws, hinges, and other hardware for assembly.

Cutting and Assembly

Once you have your materials, cut the plywood to fit the frame according to your plan. Wear protective gloves while handling the plywood and use a drill to secure it to the timber frame with screws. Make sure the screws are sunk just below the surface for a smooth finish. Repeat this process for each panel of the frame.

For the door, attach hinges to one side of the door frame, and a latch to the opposite side to keep the door closed. Test the door to ensure it opens and closes smoothly and securely.

Nesting Box Placement

Now that the frame is assembled, it's time to place the nesting boxes inside. Cut the plywood to size for the horizontal and vertical walls of the nesting boxes and secure them with wood screws. Ensure that the nesting boxes are positioned high enough off the ground and provide adequate ventilation.

By following these steps, you will have a sturdy and functional frame for your chicken nesting boxes, providing a comfortable and safe space for your hens to lay their eggs.

Adding a roof

Planning and Materials

First, you'll need to plan the size and design of your roof. Consider the size of your nesting boxes or coop, and ensure that the roof will provide adequate coverage. You'll need materials such as plywood sheets, wood screws, hinges, and a latch. It is recommended to use untreated wood to avoid exposing your chickens to harmful chemicals.

Cutting and Assembly

Cut the plywood sheets to the appropriate size, using protective gloves and a saw. You may need to cut multiple pieces to create a sloped roof. Drill holes in the plywood and assemble the pieces together using screws. Sand down any rough edges to prevent splinters.

Attaching the Roof

Attach hinges to one side of the nesting boxes or coop using screws. Typically, two or three hinges are sufficient. On the opposite side, install a latch to keep the roof closed securely. Test the roof by opening and closing it to ensure smooth movement and secure latching.

Ventilation and Windows

Remember to include ventilation or windows in your roof design to provide proper airflow for your chickens. You can cut holes in the plywood or leave openings in the roof structure to accommodate this. Ensure that the openings are covered with chicken wire or mesh to prevent pests and predators from entering.

Nesting Box Placement

If you're adding a roof specifically to nesting boxes, ensure they are placed in a quiet, low-traffic area of the coop. Position the nesting boxes slightly elevated, about 12 to 24 inches off the ground, to keep them away from dirt and pests. Make sure they are not too high, as hens can hurt themselves jumping down.

By following these steps, you can effectively add a roof to your nesting boxes or chicken coop, providing shade, protection, and comfort for your chickens.

Creating privacy

Firstly, locate the nesting boxes in a quiet, low-traffic area of the coop. This provides the hens with the privacy they need and helps to minimise stress. Ensure the boxes are slightly elevated, around 12 to 24 inches off the ground, to keep them away from dirt, pests, and debris. However, avoid placing them too high up, as hens can injure themselves jumping down.

Shaded spots are ideal for keeping the boxes cool and inviting. Additionally, good airflow is crucial for maintaining dry and odour-free nesting boxes. While ventilation is important, avoid placing the boxes in areas where drafts blow directly into them.

When designing your chicken coop, consider adding a privacy curtain. This simple feature can enhance the sense of security for your hens, making them feel more relaxed and comfortable.

Another way to create privacy is to provide enough space for your flock. Chickens do not like fighting for space, so ensure there are enough nesting boxes to prevent competition and squabbles. Each chicken should have adequate room to comfortably lay their eggs without feeling cramped or overcrowded.

By following these suggestions, you can effectively create a private and peaceful environment for your chickens, contributing to their overall well-being and happiness.

Maintenance and adjustments

Once your nesting boxes are installed, observe your chickens using the boxes. Make adjustments as needed to the slope or bedding material if eggs get stuck or don't roll out properly into the collection tray. For instance, if the eggs are getting stuck, you may need to increase the slope of the floor. You can also add lined ridges to the floor for very round chicken eggs.

If your nesting boxes are in an extremely dirty or muddy area, consider adding an external access hatch to keep the inner nest cleaner. You can also add a spring-loaded door over the collection tray to keep rats and mice out of the eggs.

If you need full access to the nest interior for cleaning, you can make the lid lift off completely instead of hinging. You should also ensure that the lid can fully open upwards against the wall.

If your hens are fighting over a favourite nesting spot, you can add a privacy curtain to make them feel more secure. Alternatively, you can provide a nesting trough so that if one spot is occupied, another hen can lay her egg next to her.

To keep the floor dry and eggs clean, use metal flashing under the bedding. For bedding, you can use straw, wood shavings, or pine shavings. You can also use a plastic tub inside each nesting box to make it easier to change out the bedding when an egg breaks.

Frequently asked questions