My Nest boxes... show us yours....

Ontario Chick · Post by **Ontario Chick** » Sat Apr 09, 2016 10:24 am

Number one nest box, accessible from the hallway, has 3 separate boxes on the inside, and a "landing" roost in front of them.
Fully removable, because just like everything else the pen has double use, when used for growing out youngsters, the box is taken out.
Nice part, when it's taken out, gets scrubbed and left out in the sun, using hight UV as sanitation

With nest box removed and opening blocked by section of an old dog crate, used as a grow out pen

And these are my awesome boxes I got for Christmas, saw them in a magazine advert, showed to DH and he put them together out of odds and ends laying around.
To facilitate cleaning, there is no back wall and the whole thing hangs on one shelf support, so can be lifted out and you know... more UV :)

Post by **Home Grown Poultry** » Sat Apr 09, 2016 10:43 am

Thank you so much for posting OC!!! Mine are no where near elaborate LOL. But I really want to copy the 4 way box!!! I just absolutely love that design!

And you just have such an amazing overall set up! Im envious!

Ontario Chick · Post by **Ontario Chick** » Sat Apr 09, 2016 11:00 am

But Al, it "only" took 35 years to get it working for us, by that time you will have your own farm!!!! :)
The Chickens like it too, occasionally there is a bit of a line up (20) hens, but when I added extra boxes, they still line up for these!!!! :)

Post by **Home Grown Poultry** » Sat Apr 09, 2016 11:11 am

HAHA there are 2 and 3 hens on some of those nests! what are the dimensions?

You are soooo Right! But with the wisdom of you and others hopefully I get there faster! LOL

Simply Beautiful!

Ontario Chick · Post by **Ontario Chick** » Sat Apr 09, 2016 2:31 pm

Lucky it's the patient Wyandottes, if it was Ameraucanas, feathers would be flying already :)
So I went and measured, you may remember it's odds & ends,
12.5" deep
28.5" sides

Poultryprincess · Post by **Poultryprincess** » Sat Apr 16, 2016 12:46 am

OMGawd I LUV your pens!!!!!
Hope you don't mind a Bunch of questions?

The double decker pens....what size are they?
How many birds do you keep in them?
Are these your "Breeding" pens, as well as your Grow out pens?

I see rabbit feeders, are you using them for your chickens?
LUV you nesting boxes too.
I "WISH" I had a barn like yours....it's my Wish List (*o*)
Hubby did a FAB job, chicken are veri lucky!

Ontario Chick · Post by **Ontario Chick** » Sat Apr 16, 2016 5:16 pm

The double decker pen is 3.5' x 7.5' and serves 2 purposes as most things do around here, saves space. :)
It's used as a brooder and can accommodate about 30 chicks..

Another view of brooder

In winter time the brooder is divided and holds two hopefuls for next year breeding season, that's when the rabbit feeders go in,
also the bird waterers work well in there during winter, less chance for the Wyandottes to dip their wattles in freezing watter

The bottom of the brooder is connected to the rest of the cage and can be divided for introducing a new male, or left open for more floor space.
The whole "cage" has floor space of 4'x14' and holds about 8 birds comfortably.

Ontario Chick · Post by **Ontario Chick** » Sun Apr 17, 2016 8:52 pm

Second brooder utilizing space under stairs, using every spare inch here :)

Poultryprincess · Post by **Poultryprincess** » Sun Apr 17, 2016 8:57 pm

I never considered "double Deckers"
But today I canvassed the coop to see where I could fit a few.
My standard sized flock get to free range when I'm home.
It's the Silkies I need to make comfortable.
Of course if I would stick to just 2 breeds, then NO problem.
It's trying to fit in MORE breeds that causes the problem.

SOOOO do these birds ever see grass or outside?
Are they the breeders?
LUV your set up!
Thanx for sharing (*o*)

Ontario Chick · Post by **Ontario Chick** » Sun Apr 17, 2016 10:55 pm

Yes, all my birds free range
http://www.poultrytalkontario.net/forum ... f=28&t=960