Home Animals Large Chicken Coop Nesting Boxes Plans

Large Chicken Coop Nesting Boxes Plans

by Ovidiu

 

This step by step diy project is about large chicken coop nesting boxes plans. This is PART 3 of the large chicken coop plans, where I show you how to build the large nesting boxes. You need to build nesting boxes so you can harvest the fresh eggs every days. Take a look over the rest of my woodworking plans, if you want to get more building inspiration.

When buying the lumber, you should select the planks with great care, making sure they are straight and without any visible flaws (cracks, knots, twists, decay). Investing in cedar or other weather resistant lumber is a good idea, as it will pay off on the long run. Use a spirit level to plumb and align the components, before inserting the galvanized screws, otherwise the project won’t have a symmetrical look. If you have all the materials and tools required for the project, you could get the job done in about a day. See all my Premium Plans HERE.

 

 

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Large Chicken Coop Nesting Boxes Plans

Building-the-nesting-boxes-for-a-8x10-chicken-coop

Building-the-nesting-boxes-for-a-8×10-chicken-coop

 

Cut & Shopping Lists

  • A – 2 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 12″ long SUPPORTS
  • B – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 120″ long, 6 pieces – 9″long FRAME
  • C – 2 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 12″x96″ long, 2 pieces – 12″x24″ long FLOOR
  • D – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 96″ long SUPPORTS
  • E – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 12″ long, 2 pieces – 12 1/2″ long, 1 piece of 1/4″ plywood – 12″x19 1/2″ long 11xPARTITIONS
  • F – 1 piece of 2×4 lumber – 12″ long, 1 piece – 17 3/4″ long, 1 piece – 22 3/4″ long, 1 piece – 7 3/4″ long, 1 piece of 1/4″ plywood – 12″x24 1/4″ long 11xPARTITIONS
  • G – 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 4 1/4″ long, 3 pieces – 113″ long, 1 piece of 1×4 lumber – 113″ long PERCH
  • H – 1 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 15 1/2″x96″ long, 1 piece – 15 1/2″x24″ ROOF
  • I – 1 piece of T1-11 siding – 15 3/4″x60″ long, 2 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 60″ long, 4 pieces – 8 3/4″ long 4xDOORS
  • J – 2 pieces of T1-11 siding – 12″x46 1/2″ long SIDING

Tools

 Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square, Level

 Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander

 Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses

Time

 One day

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How to build nesting boxes for a large chicken coop

Building-the-nest-boix-floor-frame

Building-the-nest-boix-floor-frame

First of all, you need to build the frame for the floor of the nesting boxes. Cut the joists from 2×4 lumber using the instructions from the diagram. Drill pilot holes through the rim joists and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the perpendicular components. Make sure the corners are square and then align the edges flush.

Nest box floor frame

Nest box floor frame

Fit the floor frame to the back of the chicken coop and then lock it to the floor joists with 2 1/2″ screws. Insert the screws every 8″. Moreover, fit the 4×4 supports, after using a spirit level to check if the frame is perfectly level. Drill pilot holes through the frame and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the posts.

Nest box floor

Nest box floor

Fit a 3/4″ plywood floor to the nesting boxes. Align the edges flush and insert 1 5/8″ screws every 8″ along the framing. Leave no gaps between the components for a professional result.

Bottom-partitions

Bottom-partitions

Build the partitions for the first storey from 2×4 lumber and 1/4″ plywood. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the vertical supports and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the top supports. Align the edges flush and make sure the corners are square. Staple the 1/4″ plywood sheet to the partition frame.

Fitting the bottom partitions

Fitting the bottom partitions

Fit the partitions equally spaced and then secure them to the floor with nails. Toenail the frames to the floor of the shed nesting boxes and to the bottom wall plate after making sure they are perfectly plumb. Check if the corners are square for a neat result.

Top nest boxes floor

Top nest boxes floor

Next, attach the top for the nesting boxes. Cut a piece of 3/4″ plywood and lay it on top of the partitions. Align the edges flush, drill pilot holes and insert 1 5/8″ screws every 8″ to secure it into place tightly.

Top-nest-box-partitions

Top-nest-box-partitions

Build the partitions for the top nesting boxes from 2×4 lumber. After you make the angle cuts you have to drill the pocket holes and insert the 2 1/2″ screws, so you lock the frames together tightly. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the 7 3/4″ screws and at the bottom of the vertical supports. Align the edges flush and insert the screws so you lock the frames together tightly.

Nest box top partitions

Nest box top partitions

Fit the partitions to the top of the nesting boxes and then secure them into place with nails. Secure the frames to the floor and to the wall frame. Use a spirit level to make sure the frames are perfectly plumb.

Nest boxes sides

Nest boxes sides

Continue the project by fitting T1-11 siding panels to the sides of the nesting boxes. Use 6d nails to secure the siding to the frames after aligning the edges flush.

Nest box roof

Nest box roof

Fit the 3/4″ plywood to the top of the nesting boxes. Align the edges flush and secure them into place with brad nails. Afterwards, cover the panel with tar paper and then install asphalt shingles.

Nest box door supports

Nest box door supports

Fit 2×4 slats to the back of the nesting boxes and secure them to the partitions with 2 1/2″ screws. Align the edges flush and make sure the corners are square for a professional result.

Next box doors

Next box doors

The next step of the project is to build the doors for the nesting boxes. As you can easily notice in the diagram, you need to use T1-11 siding and 1×4 trims. Use glue and 1 1/2″ nails to secure the panels to the trims. Make sure the corners are square and then align the edges flush.

Fitting the next box doors

Fitting the next box doors

Fit the doors to the back of the nesting boxes. Use hinges to secure the panels to the support slats. In addition, install latches so you can secure the doors into place tightly. You only need to open the doors when harvesting the fresh eggs.

Nest box support

Nest box support

After building the exterior of the nesting boxes, you need to take care of the interior. Therefore, fit a 1×4 support to the top nesting boxes, as shown in the diagram. Use 1 5/8″screws to secure the support to the partitions.

Perch supports

Perch supports

Fit 2×2 supports for the perch. Use 1 5/8″ screws to secure the supports to the wall.

Fitting the perch

Fitting the perch

Fit the 2×2 perches to the supports and place them equally spaced. Use 2 1/2″ screws to secure the perches into place tightly.

Large chicken coop plans - Back view

Large chicken coop plans – Back view

After building the nesting boxes you have to take care of the finishing touches. Fill the holes with wood putty and smooth the surface with 120-220 grit sandpaper. Apply a few coats of paint or stain over the components for a professional result. The paint will protect the components from decay and it will enhance the look of the large chicken coop.

Large chicken coop plans

Large chicken coop plans

Last but not least, in PART 4 of the large chicken coop project I show you how to build the 8×10 run. If you haven’t already done it, you should take a look over PART 1 and PART 2 of the project so you learn how to build this large 8×10 chicken coop from the ground to the top.

 

 

This woodworking project was about 8×10 chicken coop nesting boxes plans free. If you want to see more outdoor plans, check out the rest of our step by step projects and follow the instructions to obtain a professional result.

 

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9 comments

Chris -

How do the nesting box vertical partitions align with the back wall? Are the floors flush with each other and so the bottom of the partition is against the 2×4 that is the back wall plate? Or, is the bottom of the partition flush on the bottom with the top of that wall plate?

Reply
Ovidiu -

Everything is aligned. The top of the floor frame is aligned at the top with the top of the shed floor, and the floor of the nesting boxes is aligned with the shed floor. The partitions align with the back wall frame, exactly as it can be seen in the plans.

Reply
Nathan -

Your cuts for the floor are wrong. Correct in the diagram section “120” but wrong in the cuts section “96” for the floor.

Reply
Jessica Sanders -

Does the 1/4″ plywood for the top nest box partitions extend over the 12″ 2×4? The plans shows a 22 3/4″ 2×4 and the 1/4″ plywood is also 22 3/4. Or should it be 24 3/4″ 1/4 plywood?

Reply
Ovidiu -

Correct. I’ve updated the list.

Reply
Robert J. Williams -

I must be really dumb! I cant figure out how to download any of these plans for free. iMac.

Reply
Erika -

These plans are great! I’m almost done my coop, and will send a photo when it is all completed. My only snag so far is that I don’t know where to put the latches for the top row doors of the nesting boxes as they are right up against to roof? Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Reply
Ovidiu -

You have to secure the latches to the sides of the nesting box.

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