DIY Silkie Hen Nesting Boxes

The small size of a Silkie hen allows a backyard chicken farmer to use the smallest recommended size for a nesting box. The nesting box should be at least 12 inches square. An easy and inexpensive way to provide Silkie hens with nesting boxes is to use plastic dairy crates. The crates aren't expensive and, occasionally, you may be able to get the dairy crates for free from your local grocery store. You will need one nesting box for every three laying hens.

Things You'll Need

  • Plastic dairy crates
  • 2-inch by 4-inch by 14-inch boards
  • 4-inch wood screws
  • Drill with drill bit and Phillips screwdriver bit
  • Nesting material (straw, wood shavings, or saw dust)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Drill four holes in the bottom of each dairy crate.

    • 2

      Measure 12 inches up the wall of the chicken coop from the floor. Draw a straight line at this point to mark where the bottoms of the nesting boxes will be aligned.

    • 3

      Holding each dairy crate against the wall of the chicken coop, make a mark for each drilled hole. Drill holes where each mark is. Line up the holes in the crate with the holes on the wall and attach the crate using the 4-inch wood screws.

    • 4

      Drill four holes in each 2-inch by 4-inch by 14-inch board where it will be attached to the front of the nesting box. Attach a board to the front of each nesting box using 4-inch wood screws. The board will keep the nesting material and eggs from falling out of the box.

    • 5

      Line each nesting box with about 2 inches of nesting material.

    • 6