As a backyard chicken keeper, collecting clean, unbroken eggs from your flock is an essential part of the daily routine However, with free range hens, it can be challenging to keep the nesting area clean and prevent egg eating This is where DIY roll away nesting boxes come in handy! These clever boxes allow the eggs to roll away into a collection tray, keeping them safe from cracking, contamination, and from being eaten.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through how to build your own roll away nesting box from start to finish using basic DIY skills and inexpensive materials. Whether you’re new to woodworking or a seasoned pro, this project can easily be customized to suit your flock’s needs.
Benefits of Roll Away Nesting Boxes
Roll away boxes offer a range of benefits
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Keeps eggs clean – The sloped floor prevents eggs from rolling in manure or nesting material.
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Reduces cracking – Eggs gently roll away rather than falling into the collection area.
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Prevents egg eating – With an external collection tray, hens can’t access and eat eggs.
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Easy to collect – You don’t have to reach into dark nest boxes; just remove the tray.
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Customizable – Adjust slope and size to suit your preferred egg collection style.
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Can be used in or outdoors – Roll away boxes work great in coops or aviaries.
Plan and Design Your Nesting Box
When deciding on the design, first consider your flock size and breed. The number and size of boxes impacts how many hens can lay at once. As a general rule:
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3-5 hens per standard 12″ x 12″ box.
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Larger fowl need bigger boxes around 15″ x 15″.
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Nest box height should be 12-15 inches.
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Use a sloped floor with a gentle gradient of around 20 degrees.
Sketch your design to visualize the build. Standard boxes have a front, back, two sides, a sloped floor, and lid. The front attaches to the coop walls with the collection tray beneath.
Getting the measurements right is crucial, so draw plans to scale if you can. This helps avoid errors when cutting and assembling later on.
Choose the Right Materials
DIY roll away boxes are simple to construct using basic lumber and hardware. Here’s what you’ll need:
Wood:
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Plywood at least 1/2″ thick – avoids warping. Can use exterior grade.
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Cedar – naturally rot resistant wood. Looks great stained or painted.
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Avoid treated lumber – not ideal around chickens due to chemicals.
Screws and Nails:
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Exterior grade – prevents rusting.
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1 to 2 inches long.
Hinges – For attaching the lid. Go for galvanized metal or stainless steel.
Collection Tray – Sheet metal, plastic tub, or cat litter tray.
Tools – Saw, drill, tape measure, carpenter’s square, sand paper.
Nesting material – Straw, pine shavings, or commercial nest pads.
Step-By-Step Building Instructions
Follow these steps to build your own DIY roll away nesting boxes:
1. Cut the Wood Pieces to Size
Refer to your plans and cut lumber to the required lengths and dimensions using a circular saw or handsaw. You’ll need:
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1 front piece
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1 back piece
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2 sides
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1 sloped floor
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1 removable lid
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Optional perch dowel
Pre-drill screw holes to prevent splitting. Wipe away sawdust.
2. Assemble the Box
Attach the sides to the back panel using exterior screws or nails. Ensure edges align flush.
Next, attach the sloped floor to the sides and back according to your plans. The high end attaches to the back, sloping downwards roughly 20 degrees towards the front.
Screw or nail from below to avoid poking through the floor where eggs will roll.
3. Add the Front Piece
The entrance hole should be centered approximately 3 inches up from the sloped floor. Cut an ellipse shape about 5 inches tall x 8 inches wide.
Attach the front panel with screws through the sides and base. Ensure the entrance hole aligns properly.
4. Install Hinges and Lid
Measure and cut a lid out of plywood to match the top dimensions of your box.
Use at least 3 hinges attaching the lid to the back panel of the nest box. For easy access, you want the lid to open upwards and rest against the coop wall.
Pre-drill holes for screws to avoid cracks in the thin plywood lid.
5. Build the Collection Tray
Measure the area under the sloped floor and cut a piece of sheet metal, plastic, or other material to size. This forms the collection tray.
For metal, bend up edges around 1 inch high to keep eggs contained.
For plastic, attach a small trim strip around the edges using exterior screws.
6. Add Nesting Bedding
Place 2-3 inches of nesting substrate into the box. Straw and pine shavings are good options that allow eggs to roll freely.
Or try commercial nest pads designed just for nest boxes. They conform nicely to the sloped floor.
7. Install Box in Coop
Screw or bolt the nesting box into your coop at a comfortable height for your hens.
Place the collection tray beneath the sloped floor so eggs can roll out.
For free access, allow space for the lid to fully open upwards against the wall.
8. Test It Out!
Once installed, observe your chickens using the box. Make any adjustments needed to the slope or bedding material if eggs get stuck or don’t roll out properly into the collection tray.
The beauty of a DIY project is you can customize the design to suit your exact preferences and flock!
Extra Tips and Ideas
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Add a wooden perch in front of the nest box for easy access.
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Consider including a privacy curtain to make hens feel more secure.
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Use metal flashing under the bedding to keep the floor dry and eggs clean.
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For extremely dirty or muddy coops, add an external access hatch to keep the inner nest cleaner.
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Use a spring loaded door over the collection tray to keep rats and mice out of the eggs.
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Slope the floor more steeply and add lined ridges for very round chicken eggs.
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Make the lid lift off completely instead of hinging for full access to the nest interior when cleaning.
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Use removable pine shaving trays which lift out for easy nest refreshing.
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Ventilate boxes by adding wire mesh panels to sides and lids to prevent moisture build up.
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For a handy and stylish build, check out these rustic roll away nesting box plans from My Pet Chicken.
I hope these steps give you a clear blueprint for constructing your own roll away nesting boxes tailored exactly to your flock and enclosure. With just basic DIY skills and standard lumberyard supplies, you can build an efficient system to keep your hens’ eggs clean, safe, and easy-to-collect. This project is sure to make daily egg gathering a breeze while enhancing the cleanliness of your coop. Your hens will love their new nesting space!
Simple DIY Roll Away Nesting Boxes
FAQ
What is the angle for a roll away nesting box?
Do roll away nesting boxes work?
How do you stop chickens from pooping and sleeping in nesting boxes?
How do you get chickens to lay in a roll away nest box?
What is a DIY roll-away nest box?
A DIY roll-away nest box is designed to keep eggs clean and prevent them from being cracked or eaten by hens. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of creating your own roll-away nest box, therefore providing a comfortable and hygienic environment for your feathered friends. Materials You’ll Need:
What is a roll out nest box?
Roll out nest boxes. For Egg Eaters & Cleaner Eggs. Mostly fresh air coop design. Chickens free range into large orchard. Nest boxes designed for eggs to roll forward, the screen shows which boxes have the eggs. It prevents egg eating and keeps them cleaner. Easy to clean nest box – Show more Mostly fresh air coop design.
How do I design a chicken roll out nest box?
When designing a chicken roll out nest box plan, there are several key factors to consider: 1. Size: The nest box should be large enough for the chicken to comfortably enter and turn around. A good rule of thumb is to provide at least 12-15 inches of width, depth, and height per nesting box. 2.