The old prototype nestboxes we had attached to this coop when we built it disintegrated last year. He just took them off and covered the hole back in June.
Fortunately, the pullets started to lay while the coop was up near the house. This made putting the new nestboxes in easier. We’ve gotten 3 eggs 3 days running.
He built them more solidly this time but didn’t get the siding back on to protect them from weather. He’ll have to do that when the coop is moved back to the barn for the winter.
There was great interest in this whole proceeding, especially by our best Barred Rock pullet. She has the only red bracelet.
She claims to be the one laying a pullet egg every day. I asked her…
She thinks these might be useful, but what’s that weird stuff in them? It’s not green.
The nestboxes with the storm flap down. The top of the nestboxes was sturdily built and has the weatherproofing. Hopefully it will keep them dry. The best hen is front and center, picking at the sawdust.
There’s 2½ weeks left until they will move up to the barn to live. Two left for a new home on Sunday and 6 more will go on Monday evening. We will be down to 43 from 87 on the 6th. There are 19 scheduled to leave on the 27th, and the rest on October 1st along with the layers who all have been claimed for new homes.
These look great. My chickens seem to want to lay anywhere but the nesting boxes, and I have no idea how to coax them to where they are meant to be!
Well, it helps if they are the correct size, and it especially helps if they are secluded. These normally would have curtains over them, but for the 2.5 weeks they will be used, I'm not going to bother.
The boxes at the barn have a hallway that they open off. This provides privacy. The boxes near the entry to the hallway are least popular.
I love chickens and these are beauties. 87 is a lot of birds to take care of.
Yeah, no kidding! But we are down to 43 by this evening...