There has been some talk of nest boxes and what to use. Well I have been there too. Is the box too small? Is the box too shallow? Do I put the box inside or outside... There are endless questions.

 

I have tried many boxes and have been given a lot of advice. I would like to thank Hath and Bubbles for assisting and also the members of my club.

 

Points that need to be considered.

1. The access hole must be large enough for the hen to access, but not too large.

2. There must be a sence of security. A dark nest box is good.

3. There must be ventilation in hot weather. But the nest box must still be able to stay humid or the eggs will dry out and the chicks will die.

4. There must be a safe way to check on the chicks with out disturbing the hen or having the chick fall out of the nest.

5. I must be deep enough to keep the chicks in th nest bos for the correct duration. A shallow box will allow the chicks out too soon.

6. It must be able to be kept clean. Easily.

7. It must be roomy enough to take on a large clutch if need be.

8. It must be able to be securely and safely attached to the breeding cage.

 

Here is the latest model. I have made two. One in action and the other will be joining it soon. I have plans for another 7 if these work.

 

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The box is 250mm (10") High x 215mm (81/2") deep x 210mm (81/4") wide and is made of 9mm external Ply.

There are two metal hooks located at the top front to hook it on to the Breeding Cage.

The hole is 50mm (2") and is set at the top corner. In the majority of my cages it would be in the top corner.

 

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The back has two sections. The top slides up to get access to the chicks with the bottom section being High enough that the chicks don't fall out.

 

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The bottom section slides up to allow good access to cleaning the box. (Cleanliness is extreamly inportant)

The internal floor is a piece of 19mm pine with a concave in the centre.

 

This also slides out to allow for cleaning. It meassures. 193mm (75/8") x 189mm (71/2").

 

 

1st Box in use. There are 6 chicks here and they have plenty of room to move about.

 

 

Nest box is mounted on the outside of the Breeding Cage.

Edited October 11, 200618 yr by daz

Hi Daz and everyone, I found your topic on nest boxes quite interesting with some good ideas.

 

I too have been experienting with nest boxes.

 

I have progressed to this point with my boxes and are having good results.

 

I intentionly made my boxes on the larger side, to give the hens more

room to move when the chicks get older.

This had its problems at first, mainly being the hens trying to keeps eggs and

newly laid chicks warm enough.

 

I then came up with the idea of a partition to make the boxes smaller to help the hens.

Well this worked a treat and are having good success, also with the partition it has given me flexability.

 

When the chicks get feathered up I remove the partition which frees ups more room

in the boxes and has given the hens space when they lay again.

It also provides more air to the birds.

 

I have used an acrylic clear front with holes drilled in to create the air to circulate,

this also makes it possible to view chicks with them falling out or the hens getting

upset.

 

I have wood fronts that slide in front of the acrylic covered boxes to give the the security

that they need.

 

I have been experimenting lately with the warm weather we have been having, by leaving the wood fronts

off during the day.

With holes in the acrylic fronts it allows the boxes to keep cooler during the warmer period, so far

the hens have been happy with this and it gives me the oportunity to vies chicks and see

how they are going without intruding.

 

The boxes are attaches to the side of the breeding cabinets which have a hole in the side.

The larger sides on the nest boxes allows the hens to be able get out easerly if I have to slide

the inner nest boxes out for cleaning etc.

 

Well it's all going fine so far, love to get your feed back.

 

Cheers

Paul

 

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e375/ultra777/000_0179.jpg

 

 

Edited October 9, 200618 yr by daz

Paul sound like a good idea. I wuld like to see more photos if you can put them up. How does the box attach to the breeding cage?

What does it look like when the hen is laying?

Hi guys, the nest boxes are screwed to the side of breeding cabinet.

 

The outer nest box measurements: 32cm long, 23cm wide and 19cm high.

 

The inner nest boxes measure: 28cm long, 19cm wide and 17cm high.

 

The divider measures: 9cm long, 16cm wide and 15cm high.

 

I also use are block for removal and cleaning.

 

I think it's great to share ideas, I'm learning all the time.

 

Cheers

Paul

Paul that is a great idea. You have obviously had a good think about it.

Does any one else have Ideas on their nest boxes?

 

I am still using the one above with only a few changes. The concave is now 40mm and the hooks are a bit different but that's about all.

Mine are basically the same as yours Daz except mine have been painted white.

There is a current thought on Nest boxes and Concaves so I thought I'd bring this topic back...

 

Does any one have photos of the type of boxes they use.

 

My nest boxes have some what changed for these above.

There is a current thought on Nest boxes and Concaves so I thought I'd bring this topic back...

 

Does any one have photos of the type of boxes they use.

 

My nest boxes have some what changed for these above.

 

I use internal boxes , I like the clean look of the cabinets , boxes arent pokeing out in the walk way , they have removable concaves that get replaced each year for hygene and when you have finished breeding the boxes stay in the cabinets you dont have to have somewhere to store them.

Daz, you're bumping a few old posts today - its great as I get more ideas all the time :raincloud: Thanks!!

I thought that id revisit some of the thoughts we have way back....

 

I have changed my thoughts on some things and it's good to bring them up and see why..

The main change i have done to the nest boxes is gone to a 12mm plywood... I find that it insulates the eggs better.. cooler in Summer and warmer in winter. It also doesn't bow as much as the 9mm nest boxes.

So is the interior slightly smaller or have you increased the overall size of the box slightly to accomidate the 3mm difference?

The interior size is 229mm height x 202mm deep x 192mm width so it is still a large nest box. I also have a 40mm concave so that brings the height inside to 189mm (roughly)

 

Reason behind my big boxes is to give room for the chicks to develop.

I like the chicks to stay as long as possible (up to 5 weeks old) in the nest box where they are geting feed by the parents.

So the height helps to stop the early leaving from the nest.

great ideas every body.

Edited August 13, 201113 yr by maesie
Un-readable english used.

carnt belve the knowladge of people on this site

i have been looking at building some boxes dose any one else have ideas and photos thanks that would be great

 

 

Hi everyone, I have found a place in qld where you can buy Hagen Vision Plastic Nest Box. Chermside Pet Paradise, the owner is willing to order them in for people if they want more than they have instock. They have 3 at this moment.