How to Build a Nest for Laying Hens

Eggs from laying hens provide a good source of protein.

Many people who want to cut food costs are turning to chicken-keeping as a way to provide fresh, nutritious eggs for their family. Others are gearing their lives more toward self-reliance, and have found that laying hens are a good first step.
Of course, if you plan to have chickens, you need to house them and provide a place for them to lay their treasure.
.

Things You'll Need

• Skill saw or table saw
• Sawhorses
• Electric drill
• Phillips-head screwdriver bit
• Keyhole saw
• Miter saw or miter box with handsaw
• Chalk line
• Square
• Tin snips
• Hammer
• Box 3-inch wood screws
• Box 1 ½-inch finish nails
• Frame:
• 5 pieces lumber, 2 inches by 4 inches by 8 feet
• 1 piece ½-inch plywood, 4 feet by 8 feet
• 1 piece metal roofing, 2 feet by 8 feet
• 3 wooden nesting boxes for heavy breeds
• 1 piece lumber, 1 inch by 4 inch by 8 feet
• 3 milkcrate nesting boxes for bantams
• 3 salvaged milkcrates

Instructions

1. Cut lumber for frame. Cut all wood on table saw or use skill saw, positioning saw horses to support the lumber. Use square to ensure straight cuts. Mark with chalk line for longer cuts. Cut two 2-by-4s into two 48-inch lengths each. Cut one 2-by-4 into one 48-inch length. Cut one 2-by-4 into two 40-inch lengths. Cut one 2-by-4 into two 24-inch lengths and one 44-inch length. Using the miter saw, cut one end of two of the 48-inch lengths and one end of each of the two 40-inch lengths at a 45-degree angle. Using chalk line, strike a line on plywood, measuring 22 inches by 48 inches. Cut.

2. Assemble frame. Take two 40-inch, angle-cut 2-by-4s and two 48-inch, angle-cut 2-by-4s. Measure all 24" from bottom, which is the end, with the straight cut. Mark. Attach two 24-inch 2-by-4s at 24-inch mark, making sure the low side of the top angled cuts on the legs face the front. Use 3-inch wood screws, creating a rectangular frame measuring 24 inches by 48 inches. Using 3-inch wood screws, attach 22-inch by 48-inch plywood to the 24-inch 2-by-4s, creating the floor for the nest boxes. Cut metal roofing with tin snips to measure 48 inches. Attach to angled cuts using wood screws, creating a roof to eliminate perching on top of the nest boxes. Reserve 44-inch and 48-inch 2-by-4s to secure nest boxes.

3. Cut lumber for wooden nest boxes for heavy breeds. Use chalk line and mark ½-inch plywood into nine equal squares, measuring 14 inches by 14 inches. Using skill saw with sawhorses for support or table saw, cut plywood on lines previously marked.
   Cut 1-by-4 into three 14-inch lengths.

4. Build wooden nest boxes for heavy breeds. With 3-inch screws, attach four 14-by-14-inch plywood sheets, one for each side and one for the back, leaving the front and top open. Using 1 ½-inch finish nails, attach 14-inch 1-by-4 to front bottom of each nest box. This will keep litter in and prevent eggs from rolling out. Position reserved 44-inch 2-by-4 on rear of floor between the back legs; attach using wood screws. Place three nest boxes two inches apart, flush against the 44-inch 2-by-4. Place reserved 48-inch 2-by-4 against front of nests; attach using wood screws. This placement secures the nest boxes and makes them easy to remove for cleaning.

5. Cut milkcrates for nest boxes for bantams. Using keyhole saw cut out one side of crate, leaving a four-inch lip to capture litter and rolling eggs.

6. Build milkcrate nest boxes for bantams. Position crate so original opening faces the roof of the frame and opening with four-inch lip faces the front. Place reserved 44-inch 2-by-4 to rear of floor between the back legs; attach using wood screws. Position three completed milkcrate nest boxes two inches apart, flush against the 44-inch 2-by-4. Place reserved 48-inch 2-by-4 against front of nests; attach using wood screws. This placement secures the nest boxes and makes them easy to remove for cleaning.

Tips & Warnings

• Hens like secluded, dark places to lay their eggs; place the nest boxes in an out-of-the-way corner of the coop.

• Place a ceramic egg in the nest box to encourage hens to use it for its intended purpose.

• Always use eye protection when working with wood.

References

• "Chickens: Tending a Small-Scale Flock for Pleasure and Profit"; Sue Weaver; 2005
• "Living with Chickens"; Jay Rossier; 2004
• Things to Consider When Housing Chickens

Resources

• Raising backyard chickens
• Tips on living a self-sufficient life