The Nesting Box

I've been SLOWLY working on the coop. The most recent project involved constructing a nesting box for the pretty little hens! The studs and part of the coop are now primed as well. I'm challenging myself to do this for little to no $$. So far the materials have all been found and lying around our yard.

I started out with a 4x8 sheet of plywood. (Aren't my two furry little helpers cute!) 

 I cut it into pieces. I'm kind of going off another coop I've seen but really making it up as I go. Luckily I made my cuts correctly and only needed one piece of wood! : ) 

Now that it's assembled I let the wood dry out and put some paint cans on top overnight to try and get it to straighten out.(I'm laughing to myself because I'm really not that good of a carpenter and it's pretty crooked! hahaha) But I'm sure the hens won't mind too much! 

I built a stand for it and primed it all with Kilz to try and prevent mold. I also framed in the stud walls on the side. I'm still trying to decide if I should use some sort of paneling to close it off. (I have some really cute stuff that I took from the mobile home remodel) OR I'm thinking of keeping it open but just using chicken wire instead. (There will be a door on the back of the nesting box so I can easily collect the eggs)

Thanks to my Sister-In-Law Julie I have a REALLY CUTE door into the coop! I love the old hardware on it!

There's more to do but I'm happy with the progress so far! I've solicited hubby's help to try and create the outside run. He's got an idea to use the little treed area behind the shed as a "Native Growth Chicken Habitat" - too funny! Supposedly they'll like all the bugs and stuff! I'm all for less bugs! Woo hoo! Until next time....