Parts list for each nest box
| Qty |
Part |
Item |
Dimensions |
|
|
|
|
| 3 |
A |
1"x12" pine boards
(actually 11 1/8" wide) |
47" long |
| 2 |
B |
1/2" plywood |
11 1/8" x 30" |
| 4 |
C |
1"x2" pine board |
21" long |
| 2 |
D |
1"x4" pine board |
48" long |
| 2 |
E |
1"x2" pine board |
48" long |
| 4 |
F |
1/4" plywood |
11 1/8" x 14 1/8" |
| 4 |
G |
angle brackets |
4" |
| ~28 |
H |
wood screws |
#8 x 2" |
| ~16 |
I |
wood screws |
#6 x 1 1/4" |
You can use 30" long 1x12"
lumber in place of the 1/2 inch plywood (B), but it just makes the nest
box heavier and the plywood is cheaper. You can also use "pegboard" for
the nest dividers (F), but we already had the 1/4" plywood. |
All the lumber precut for
seven nest boxes except the 1/4" plywood (F), which we cut last and measured
in each case to allow for some warping of the 1x12 boards! The 1x12 boards
are dado cut 1/4 inch wide by 3/16 deep to hold the nest dividers.
The dado cuts are made 15 1/2" in from each end, and both top and bottom
of the center 1x12 are dado cut. |
We made a workbench out
of saw horses and plywood for the assembly. First connect the sides
(B) to the top (A) and bottom (A) using #8 x 2" screws (H) forming
a box. |
Measure 15" from the top
or bottom to position the center 1x12 (A). Mark it at front and back
of each side to insure the center 1x12 is level. Don't forget, the center
board is the one that's dado cut top and bottom :o) Fasten it from
both sides using #8 x 2" screws. |
Next position the four
21" 1x2's (C) about 12" in from each side and fasten with #6 x 1 1/4" screws
(I). Do this before putting the 1"x4" lip (D) on the front of the
nests. (makes it easier to get the drill in there...) |
Now you can install the
front lip (D) on the top and bottom row of nests using four or five #8
x 2" screws (H), and attach the 4 foot 1x2 "roosts" (E) to the supports
(C) using #6 x 1 1/4" screws (I) from the bottom. |
Here's a closeup of the
dado cuts in the center 1x12 board (A). Since this is the center
one it's cut on top and bottom to allow the nest dividers to be slid in
place. Since some of the 1x12 boards were warped (curled a bit),
we measured each of the dividers to be sure we had a good snug fit before
installing it. |
Here's the completed nest
box with nest dividers in place. Since we were installing these on
the plywood sides of each pen, we didn't need to put a back on them. |
We attached two of the
4" angle brackets (G) to the bottom about 12" in from the sides to make
it easier to mount the nest boxes. We attach the top brackets after we
position the nest box in the pen. |
Here's the last 2 nest
boxes assembled and ready for installation in the pens. Each of the six
nests comes out to about 15" wide, 15" high and 11 1/8" deep. |
Since the top of our nest
boxes came out even with the top of the plywood in the pens, we mounted
the top angle brackets (G) over the 2x4 to the nest box from the adjoining
pen. |
It feels great to get this
Project done! Here's a completed nest box mounted in the last pen.
We use about 3 inches of pine shavings in the nest boxes to keep the eggs
unbroken and clean. The bottom of the nest box is about 18" from the floor
and we're planning to mount automatic waterers below them. |
Barn
Pen Construction - Page 6
