NEST BOXES (need help ) (Poultry/Housing & Equipment)

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iwas going to make some nest boxes i wasn't sure how big they should be for medium and heavy breeds. thanks for all the info

-- drew (ata1hunt@aol.com), January 28, 2002

Answers

Response to NEST BOXES (need help )

Try, The forum raising-- rabbits for profit it's at: http://hv.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a.tcl?topic=Raising%20meat% 20rabbits%20for%20profit They should be able to help you. Daryll

-- Daryll in NW FLA (twincrk@hotmail.com), January 28, 2002.

Response to NEST BOXES (need help )

I cut some of the old heavy plastic milk carton crates in half, so one half has the original bottom and the other is just a four sided form. Seems to work for my situation.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), January 28, 2002.

Response to NEST BOXES (need help )

standard answer is: 12~16" high, deep and wide. larger dimensions for the larger breeds.

reality is: I'm constantly surprised by the occasional new spot that looks better to the girls. whatever you choose, allowing a little privacy by way of a curtain at the entrance is very popular with my bunch.

-- B. Lackie - Zone3 (cwrench@hotmail.com), January 28, 2002.


Response to NEST BOXES (need help )

When I need extra nest boxes I lay a 5 gallon bucket on its side and put a brick on both sides to keep it from rocking. For the front I cut the plastic lid for the busket (if you are fortunate to have the lid) in half and wa-la I have two fronts. The hens seem to like them and love to "sit" in them. Being round on top keeps the birds from perching on the top.

bonnie in indiana

-- Bonnie Norris (queqid@att.net), January 28, 2002.


Response to NEST BOXES (need help )

Some sources say as small as 12"x12"x12" will do but I've found my birds are much happier with a 14"x14"x"14", deep bedding and fairly dark inside. No more floor eggs, they've been staying cleaner and less breakage.

.........Alan.

-- Alan (athagan@atlanti.net), January 28, 2002.



Response to NEST BOXES (need help )

You are talking about rabbits and not chickens, right?? I have come up with what is a much better solution for rabbit nest boxes than the conventional, for my rabbits. I build a box that hangs on the back of the cages, that has a round hole 7 inches above the floor of the nest box, 4 inches above the floor of the cage (so little ones can easily get in but have a tough time getting out, so they dont get stuck on the wire over night). The sizing for my Satins (10lbs) and even flemishes is in and around 18 inches wide, by at least 12 inches deep by 14 or so inches tall. The rabbits seem to prefer this setup, it insulates the young better, you have higher survival rates. I think its more like a burrow, which would be the rabbits wild nest box. The lid on the box should be hinged for acess and be sloped to shed water if its outdoors. And during off seasons, when no young are in the box, just prop a board up on the inside so the rabbits wont use the box as their toilet.

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), January 28, 2002.

Response to NEST BOXES (need help )

Now I'm confused ~ not sure if you're talking about rabbits or chooks! -G- In case it's chooks, I use large, covered cat litter boxes. They're each 15 1/4 inches wide x 16 1/4 inches high x 19 1/2 inches long.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2222@hotmail.com), January 28, 2002.

I use milk crates. I fill them with straw and set them in a corner of the coup or pen. I also like the covered cat litter boxes, those are wonderful, and easy, plus the straw stays in them better. I have a few of my smaller hans that use rabbit boxes (where they kindle) and I even have a large dog house (one of the plastic kinds) that I just stick a brick across the opening so eht straw stays in better.

I've used the crisper boxes from old refrigerators, (which is where I used to store feed, since they were air tight and rats/mice & bugs couldn't get in.

-- Wendy A (phillips-anteswe@pendleton.usmc.mil), January 29, 2002.


I have big heavy breed black austrolorps and also use the 5 gal buckets on their side. They stay clean because the hens can't roost on top of them. Put some straw in the bottom. I don't use the brick- -they stay put in all the deep litter in there.Free, easy.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), January 30, 2002.

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