Nesting Boxes

The next step in this adventure is for the hens to start laying eggs, and to help them I've made some nesting boxes. There are many ways to do this and different philosophy's regarding it as well. But we are keeping it simple. Just an opening to hold a plastic bin, in which they'll build a nest and lay some eggs. To keep as much room as possible in their side of the hen house, it was all designed to have just an opening in the one wall and have the body of the boxes in the storage side, and as you can see it all worked out.

Just cut out the wall and add the boxes.

Bins for the nests.

We'll see if they require modifying later on.

Latest Addition

It's been a while since I've posted anything, so here is a look at our latest addition to the property. The Hen House. I started in May and have only a few little things to finish, like vent overs for the inside. It's only 8 x 12 with 6 ft 6 inch walls, but the roof line gives it lots of height and character. We have 11 chickens and soon we'll see how many we keep as layers and how many will go into the freezer. They have an 8 x 16 foot run, covered with, you guessed it, chicken wire, even the top to hopefully keep everything out, not just to keep them in. Here is a look at it's development.

Setting the footings.

Getting the floor joists in place.

Add two layers of 1 x 6 spruce flooring.

Put up a few walls.

Up go the rafters.

Cover it with sheathing.

Finish the roof off with steel.

Gable vents.

Half for the hens, all covered with wire.

They need a place to sit.

Can always use a bit of light.

Add the run and some stain.

Now we have a cute hen house and run.