If you are thinking of just sitting back and having an endless supply of eggs, you may want to do your own research before investing and jumping into the care and upkeep of a flock. Hens have a rather short period of time when they are most productive.
While some hens can continue to produce eggs for several years the majority only begin to produce from 6-8 weeks, and then for up to a year before production begins to decline. They will also go into a condition called Molt in late summer or early fall. It is a period when they naturally lose feathers to make way for new growth.
Molt throws the chicken egg production into a resting phase where the production stops for weeks to months. This means you might be doing a lot of work for no eggs in return unless you have a large flock that can be rotated with new chickens and then the older chickens are butchered for stewing hens.
Chickens will destroy eggs by pecking at them or stepping on them. A Rollaway nest box rolls the eggs forward into a protected front compartment. A lid lifts up to gather the eggs. A few suppliers sell them;
Cottage Craft Works .com carries them. They are made by an Amish gentleman who uses heavy gauge galvanized metal. A set of these will last for many years.
Best of all these Rollaway nesting boxes are removable nesting boxes that can be easily taken outside to be washed and disinfected. These make it easier to control or prevent an infestation of parasites or diseases to spread within the flock.
These are high quality galvanized metal nesting boxes built in an Amish metal shop, they are built to last!
Rollaway egg nesting boxes are specially designed to allow eggs to roll forward into an upfront holding tray to keep them safe from chickens stepping on or pecking at them.
When the chicken lays her eggs they roll down PVC coated heavy gauge 1/2" x 1/2" wire mesh floor to the front of the nesting box. To collect the eggs simply lift up the front cover and the eggs will be all lined up for a clean simple collection, without having to disturb nesting hens.
Rollaway egg nesting boxes do not have plastic lids or trays to break as others on the market do, they are also made of heavy 26 and 16 gauge galvanized metal. The 26 gauge is used on the main horizontal structure and the 16 gauge is used for the vertical ends. Others on the market use thinner gauge metals.
Nesting boxes are simple to install and provide many superior benefits over wooden nesting boxes.
These nest boxes are easy to clean and sanitize, boxes have metal mounting cleats, the cleats screw to a solid wall and the nesting box hangs on to the cleats. Simply lift off the complete nest box to remove and power wash and to disinfect.
One nest hole will handle 5-6 hens; four nests will generally provide a family with a generous supply of fresh eggs.
Nest holes are 8" tall 11-1/4" wide and 11-1/2" deep. The two compartment nest model measures 24-1/2"wide 20" tall 17" deep, the four compartment nest measures 49" wide 20"Tall 17" deep and the eight compartment nest measures 48"wide 35" tall 17" deep.
Nest boxes are made from 26 gauge galvanized metal, with the tray end and hanging cleats made from 16 gauge galvanized metal.
Nesting boxes are shipped flat and will need complete assembly using 3/16 and 1/4 bolts.
What customers say:
"I received and assembled a roll away nest I ordered from you today. I wanted to tell you that I am extremely pleased with the quality and workmanship of this nest. Everything bolted together perfect and was built out of heavy gauge metal. Very impressive".
Thanks
J L
Elbow Lake Minnesota
Cottage Craft Works Sustainable Agriculture Products.
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Cottage Craft Works also has other chicken equipment as well as a wide range of other products offered for home farm and garden needs.
Chicken | Poultry | Feeder measures 46" long 20-1/2 wide across the roost and 17" to the roost. Heavy duty metal for years of service. Features elevated legs to keep chicken feed cleaner less wasted, with less bending over to fill and clean. The elevated feeder also allows more open floor space below in crowded coops.
