Space-Saving Corner Nest Box

One of our chicken coops is constructed in the back half of the last bay in our barn. The total size of the coop enclosure is 75 square feet. Once we installed a feeder and drinker, a portable nest box, and roosting bars, the area got a little tight for a human to maneuver without bumping into things. The nest box posed the biggest space problem.

We brainstormed all the usual possibilities, and rejected each as being impractical for one reason or another. Then we thought about how we had a similar space problem in our master bath. We solved that problem with a 33″ high corner cabinet for towel and supply storage. A little measuring told us this solution was perfect for the chicken coop, as well. The door that came with the cabinet was a bonus, removed and saved for some other DIY project.

Since the coop has a dirt floor, we protected the bottom of the cabinet from moisture by pouring a concrete pad for the cabinet to rest on. Then we bolted the cabinet to the walls. Now we have a pair of stacked nest boxes that are 22″ deep, 36″ at the widest. They are plenty big enough for two or three hens to lay at the same time.

We needed a way to keep nest bedding from being kicked out, while making it easy to clean the nests. So we added a hinged lip at the front of each box. To keep the chickens from making a mess by roosting on top of the cabinet, we added a sloped roof.

We worried the chickens might not use the upper nest without an access ladder or at least a perch to fly up onto, but decided to add something later if it turned out to be a problem. The hens initially used only the bottom nest, but eventually began using both without any help.

The corner nest box solution to our space issue turned out to be ideal for both the laying hens and their human keepers.