DIY Reverse Rollout Nesting Box

Hey Techstead Life community, James here! Today, we’re diving into an exciting project for our feathered friends—installing a reverse rollout nesting box in our chicken coop. Ready to roll? Let's get cracking!

Choosing the Right Nesting Box

I picked up a reverse rollout nesting box online from Amazon. Unlike traditional nesting boxes, this design allows eggs to roll towards the back, keeping them clean and reducing the risk of damage. It also allows us to grab the eggs without having to go inside the coop. Chancy doesn't like the thought of walking into the coop potentially with snakes or other pests hanging around. 

Assembly Instructions

The kit arrived unassembled, so there's a bit of DIY involved. We start by assembling it upside down. The instructions aren’t super clear, but remember: the elongated circles on the parts face downward towards what will be the roof.

Steps to Assemble:

• Attach the sides: Begin by connecting the back and one side to the bottom panel. Use the included bolts and nuts, but keep them loose to align all holes as you go.
• Secure the structure: Continue by attaching the other side and the front panels to solidify the frame.
• Centerpiece and L-shaped bracket: Fix the back of the center piece, ensuring it fits correctly. The L-shaped piece attaches to the top back of the closed wall—this might take some aligning, but it’ll fit perfectly with a bit of patience.
• Square long piece: This goes on the top front open side. Line up the screw holes on each side piece and the center piece before tightening.
• Final tightening: Now you can tighten everything with a flat head screwdriver and a socket wrench. Handy tip: small wrenches work best here.
• Perch brackets: It's easier to attach these while the box is still upside down.
• Flip and finish: Turn the box right side up, attach the dowels to the perch brackets, and secure them. The flaps on the angled baskets might need some force to clip on—be prepared for a little struggle!

Installation in the Coop

• Removing the old box: Our old nesting box was barely hanging on—just two screws! Out with the old, in with the new.
• Cutting the wall: I marked the wall where I needed to cut for the rollaway feature. I used a grinder—though it’s not the safest tool for the job. Always wear impact-resistant goggles and ear protection!
• Adapting the installation: Ideally, only the front part of the box should poke inside the coop. Space constraints led me to modify this setup by enlarging the hole just enough to access the eggs from the outside.
• Securing the box: I drilled my own holes in the back wall and used screws with washers to secure the box. Due to a slight miscalculation, the box was tilted forward, affecting the egg roll. A quick fix with some eye hooks and coated metal wire, and everything was leveled out.

The Finished Setup

Now, the eggs roll neatly towards the back of the box, making it super easy to collect them without disturbing our broody hens. A functional and efficient addition to our coop that saves time and keeps the eggs in top shape!

Thanks for following along, and be sure to tune in for more tech-enhanced homesteading tips and projects. Until next time, keep innovating your space!

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