How to Make Your Own Laying Boxes for Chickens

The purpose of a laying box is to provide a clean, safe, homey nest for your chickens to lay their eggs in. Laying boxes don't have to be fancy, expensive or high-tech. They don't even have to be store-bought. The chickens aren't interested in impressing anybody. They're not even fussy about where they lay their eggs, as long as the spot is warm and dry. The important thing is to give your hens a nest that they're comfortable using so they don't hide somewhere to lay eggs that you'll have to hunt for. It should also be convenient for you to access and easy to keep clean. You can make your own laying boxes for chickens out of nearly anything that you have taking up space around the yard or barn.

Things You'll Need

  • Plastic milk crate
  • Plastic 5-gallon bucket
  • Hacksaw
  • Old washtub
  • Plastic pet carrier
  • Old tire
  • Dishpan, litter box or salad bowl
  • Cardboard box
  • Cement blocks
  • Hammer
  • Nails
  • Straw, hay, sawdust, wood shavings, shredded paper or lawn trimmings
  • Old dresser (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Turn a plastic milk crate on its side. Nail it to the wall or set it on the floor. These crates stack very well.

    • 2

      Cut the top half off a plastic 5-gallon bucket with a hacksaw. This gives you two laying boxes that you can set upright or nail to a wall.

    • 3

      Set an old washtub in the coop or yard. Washtubs are large enough for two to four hens to happily share the laying space.

    • 4

      Repurpose an old pet carrier. Turn it onto its side to provide a roomy laying box.

    • 5

      Place an old tire in the yard, or turn it upright and nail it to the wall. The inner well makes a fine laying box.

    • 6

      Give your hens any large plastic container that they can easily climb into such as a dishpan, litter box or salad bowl.

    • 7

      Flip a cardboard box over on its side to use for a quick, temporary laying box. You can also set it upright and cut an access hole out of one of the side panels if the box is large.

    • 8

      Turn something you're not using upside down if you wish to get your nesting box up off the ground. Use a plastic milk crate, a 5-gallon bucket, old washtub or a stack of cement blocks and set the laying box on top of it.

    • 9

      Line your laying boxes with soft, cheap materials. Make a thick pile at least 4 inches deep with straw, hay, sawdust, wood shavings, shredded paper or lawn trimmings. Make sure that whatever materials you use have not been chemically treated. Change lining materials and clean the boxes at least once every four to six weeks.