There has been a fair amount of chaos in my coops recently-between coop renovations and broody mamas– and laying hens have been hard pressed to find a quiet, private spot to lay eggs.Nest boxes sharing is normal and expected, but 3-4 hens per nest is a recipe for broken eggs, egg-eating and pecking injuries. The stress of competing for a nest is also likely to put the kibosh on egg-laying for weeks-  I knew that to avoid these problems I needed to add more temporary nest boxes than the one I already had on the floor of the coop. So, I resorted to what any self-respecting do-it-yourselfer would do in this situation: I took a trip to the local landfill for inspiration. Nest boxes sharing is normal and expected, but 3-4 hens per nest is a recipe for broken eggs, egg-eating and pecking injuries. The stress of competing for a nest is also likely to put the kibosh on egg-laying for weeks

There are countless options for temporary nest boxes from five gallon buckets to milk crates, cardboard boxes to empty kitty litter buckets, but I was in the mood for a little project and I found one.
I made this free-standing nest box using homemade apple cider vinegar for the faux barn wood effect.

I knew that to avoid these problems I needed to add more temporary nest boxes than the one I already had on the floor of the coop.

The landfill rarely disappoints and this trip was no exception; I scored two televisions that I knew would fit the bill perfectly, so into the truck they went and we were off to Demo Land! This 1983 Sony is a CLASSIC! Remember when you had to get up off the couch to change the channel? With a drill and some pliers we took the guts out of the TV, but my hens will have to wait their turn because my daughters have claimed it as their own for now.

I made this free-standing nest box using homemade apple cider vinegar for the faux barn wood effect.
When removing the insides, watch for any sharp edges and remove or file them down.
When removing the insides, watch for any sharp edges and remove or file them down.
When removing the insides, watch for any sharp edges and remove or file them down.
They sure don’t make ’em like they used to!

The Sony is huge and ideal for use as a broody nest or hospital ward, but this Zenith is perfect for egg-laying hens. There is plenty of ventilation and just enough room to take care of business with no spare space for guests!
Black simply would not do for my girlz, so I gave it a quick spray with some pink paint and we were ready to give it a test drive!

When removing the insides, watch for any sharp edges and remove or file them down.
Black simply would not do for my girlz, so I gave it a quick spray with some pink paint and we were ready to give it a test drive!

I can confirm that CHICK TV is officially a hit! While my husband was in and out of the coop installing wall boards, he said layers were waiting in line for CHICK TV!  The broody in the nest box below hatched her chicks days later in peace, without being agitated by other hens.

I can confirm that CHICK TV is officially a hit! While my husband was in and out of the coop installing wall boards, he said layers were waiting in line for CHICK TV! The broody in the nest box below hatched her chicks days later in peace, without being agitated by other hens.
I can confirm that CHICK TV is officially a hit! While my husband was in and out of the coop installing wall boards, he said layers were waiting in line for CHICK TV! The broody in the nest box below hatched her chicks days later in peace, without being agitated by other hens.
Vera (Red Sex Link pullet) is a big fan of CHICK TV.
Vera (Red Sex Link pullet) is a big fan of CHICK TV

Add a little Spruce the Coop Herbal Fusion to the nest and you’ve got smell-o-vision!

Add a little Spruce the Coop Herbal Fusion to the nest and you've got smell-o-vision!

This post was shared here: Crafts a la ModeFluster Buster, House by Hoff/Get your DIY OnI Gotta Create, I Gotta Try ThatMade in a DaySaltTreeSmall Footprint FamilyThe Dedicated HouseThe DIY DreamerThe Pin Junkie,The Prairie HomesteadStone Cottage Adventures

Kathy Shea Mormino

Affectionately known internationally as The Chicken Chick®, Kathy Shea Mormino shares a fun-loving, informative style to raising backyard chickens. …Read on

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There has been a fair amount of chaos in my coops recently-between coop renovations and broody mamas– and laying hens have been hard pressed to find a quiet, private spot to lay eggs.Nest boxes sharing is normal and expected, but 3-4 hens per nest is a recipe for broken eggs, egg-eating and pecking injuries. The stress of competing for a nest is also likely to put the kibosh on egg-laying for weeks-  I knew that to avoid these problems I needed to add more temporary nest boxes than the one I already had on the floor of the coop. So, I resorted to what any self-respecting do-it-yourselfer would do in this situation: I took a trip to the local landfill for inspiration. Nest boxes sharing is normal and expected, but 3-4 hens per nest is a recipe for broken eggs, egg-eating and pecking injuries. The stress of competing for a nest is also likely to put the kibosh on egg-laying for weeks

There are countless options for temporary nest boxes from five gallon buckets to milk crates, cardboard boxes to empty kitty litter buckets, but I was in the mood for a little project and I found one.
I made this free-standing nest box using homemade apple cider vinegar for the faux barn wood effect.

I knew that to avoid these problems I needed to add more temporary nest boxes than the one I already had on the floor of the coop.

The landfill rarely disappoints and this trip was no exception; I scored two televisions that I knew would fit the bill perfectly, so into the truck they went and we were off to Demo Land! This 1983 Sony is a CLASSIC! Remember when you had to get up off the couch to change the channel? With a drill and some pliers we took the guts out of the TV, but my hens will have to wait their turn because my daughters have claimed it as their own for now.

I made this free-standing nest box using homemade apple cider vinegar for the faux barn wood effect.
When removing the insides, watch for any sharp edges and remove or file them down.
When removing the insides, watch for any sharp edges and remove or file them down.
When removing the insides, watch for any sharp edges and remove or file them down.
They sure don’t make ’em like they used to!

The Sony is huge and ideal for use as a broody nest or hospital ward, but this Zenith is perfect for egg-laying hens. There is plenty of ventilation and just enough room to take care of business with no spare space for guests!
Black simply would not do for my girlz, so I gave it a quick spray with some pink paint and we were ready to give it a test drive!

When removing the insides, watch for any sharp edges and remove or file them down.
Black simply would not do for my girlz, so I gave it a quick spray with some pink paint and we were ready to give it a test drive!

I can confirm that CHICK TV is officially a hit! While my husband was in and out of the coop installing wall boards, he said layers were waiting in line for CHICK TV!  The broody in the nest box below hatched her chicks days later in peace, without being agitated by other hens.

I can confirm that CHICK TV is officially a hit! While my husband was in and out of the coop installing wall boards, he said layers were waiting in line for CHICK TV! The broody in the nest box below hatched her chicks days later in peace, without being agitated by other hens.
I can confirm that CHICK TV is officially a hit! While my husband was in and out of the coop installing wall boards, he said layers were waiting in line for CHICK TV! The broody in the nest box below hatched her chicks days later in peace, without being agitated by other hens.
Vera (Red Sex Link pullet) is a big fan of CHICK TV.
Vera (Red Sex Link pullet) is a big fan of CHICK TV

Add a little Spruce the Coop Herbal Fusion to the nest and you’ve got smell-o-vision!

Add a little Spruce the Coop Herbal Fusion to the nest and you've got smell-o-vision!

This post was shared here: Crafts a la ModeFluster Buster, House by Hoff/Get your DIY OnI Gotta Create, I Gotta Try ThatMade in a DaySaltTreeSmall Footprint FamilyThe Dedicated HouseThe DIY DreamerThe Pin Junkie,The Prairie HomesteadStone Cottage Adventures

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Cranberry Morning
10 years ago

This is the most clever and cutest chicken project ever! Pinned it. It's a terrific idea. :-)

Judith Blinkenberg
Judith Blinkenberg
10 years ago

What a fantastic idea! We have an old tv to get rid of but now we can use it. Thanks so much!

Cindy Sherman Mooney
Cindy Sherman Mooney
10 years ago

that is really a cute idea, and painted pink to boot! :-)

Laura Schaefer
Laura Schaefer
10 years ago

Super creative, and cute! :)

Patricia Stowe
Patricia Stowe
10 years ago

that's awesome! Love it!

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