How to build chicken nesting boxes

This step by step diy project is about how to build chicken nesting boxes. Building a nesting box for a chicken coop and a door is a straight forward project and the last part of the complex endeavor. We strongly recommend you to take a look on the rest of the project, to learn how to build the main construction, as well as to get accustomed with the main carpentry techniques.

After building the chicken coop you need to get the job done by making the nesting boxes and the front door. As will see in this detailed project, you need to create a small door for the nesting box, as to collect the eggs every morning. In addition, you should adjust the size of the nesting box to how many chickens you are growing. Attach the box around the opening and lock it into place tightly.

On the other hand, it is essential to build a sturdy door for the chicken coop. Therefore, use grooved plywood siding and 1×4 trims to get a professional result. Fit the door inside the opening and lock it to the jambs with metal hinges. Align all the components at both ends and fit a door latch. Sand the wooden components and apply a few coats of paint to protect the components from decay. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.

Made from this plan

Building chicken nests

Building a chicken coop

Materials

A – 2 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 28″, 2 pieces – 64″ long, 1 piece – 21″ long DOOR
A – 1 piece of 5/8″ siding – 28″x71″ long DOOR
B – 2 piece of 1×12 lumber – 19 3/4″ long, 1 piece – 32″ long NESTING BOX
B – 2 pieces of 1×3 – 32″ long, 2 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 32″ long NESTING BOX
C – 1 piece of 1×8 lumber – 32″ DOOR
D – 1 piece 3/4″ plywood – 34 1/2″x14 1/4″ long, 6 sq ft of tar paper, asphalt shingles ROOF

4 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 8 ft
1 piece of 5/8″ siding – 4’x8′
1 piece of 1×12 lumber – 8 ft
1 piece of 1×3 lumber – 8 ft
1 piece of 1×8 lumber – 3 ft
1 piece 3/4″ plywood – 2’x4′
6 sq ft of tar paper, asphalt shingles
hinges
piano hinge
handle
2 1/2″ screws
1 1/4″ screws
glue, stain
wood filler

Tools

Tips

Use a good miter saw to make the angle cuts
Drill pilot holes before inserting the screws

Time

One Week

Part 1: How to build a chicken coop free plans
Part 2: How to build a chicken nesting box

Building the sides of the nesting boxes

The first step of the woodworking project is to build the sides of the nesting boxes. As you can notice in the image, you need to build the components from 1×12 lumber. Mark the cut lines on the slats and get the job done with a circular saw.

Building the nesting box

Attach the lean-to sides of the nesting box to the bottom components and lock them together with 1×4 supports. Drill pilot holes trough the lumber before inserting the 1 1/2″ nails and add waterproof glue to the joints, if you want to get a rigid structure.

Attaching the front frame

Attach 1×3 trims to the bottom and to the top of the front face of the nesting box. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the slats and insert the screws into the sides or insert the screws trough the side components into the slats. Make sure the components are right-angled and the supports are perfectly horizontal.

Fitting the nesting box to the chicken coop

Attach the nesting box to the side wall of the chicken coop and lock it into place with screws. Drill pilot holes trough the supports and insert the 3 1/2″ screws into the suds of the chicken coop, after leveling the nesting box.

Attaching the door

Cut a small piece of wood out of 1×8 lumber and fit it into place, as in the plans. Lock the door to the bottom frame with metal hinges and use a latch to lock it into place. In addition, don’t forget to add a handle, as to open and shut the door easily.

Attaching the nesting roof

Fit a 3/4″ piece of plywood on top of the nesting box frame, cover it with tar paper and install asphalt shingles. Make sure the plywood sheet overhangs the nesting box about 1/2″ on all sides. Drill pilot holes and insert 1 1/4″ screws into the frame of the nesting boxes.

Building the coop door

On the other hand, you need to build the door for the chicken coop. As it can be seen in the plans, you need to attach 1×4 trims to a piece of T1-11 siding as to get a rigid structure. Add waterproof glue to the joints and insert 1 1/4″ nails trough the trims into the siding. Make sure the corners are right-angled before fitting the door into the opening.

Fitting the door

Fit the door inside the opening and lock it to the frame with metal hinges. In addition, we recommend you to install a latch, as to close the door properly. Check if the door opens properly, before taking care of the finishing touches.

How to build chicken nesting boxes

Last but not least, we recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. In order to get a professional result, fill the holes and the gaps with wood filler and let it dry out for a few hours. Check if there are protruding screws and fix this issue, if necessary.

Thank you for reading our project about how to build a chicken coop free plans and we recommend you to check out the rest of the projects. Don’t forget to share our projects with your friends, by using the social media widgets.

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