10 DIY Nesting Boxes for chickens

They’re the unsung heroes of your chicken pen—the one element that makes gathering eggs easier and managing your broody hens more predictable.

As the world of backyard chicken keeping keeps growing, we’ve noticed an explosion of creative, low-cost solutions. That’s why we’ve decided to share some of the best nesting box ideas we’ve come across—perfect for anyone working on a homemade chicken coop or searching for chicken house ideas on a budget.

As always, we’ve included real images and helpful descriptions. So without any further ado, here are the most amazing DIY nesting boxes for chickens.

1. The Cheap And Easy Nesting Box Area

This simple setup is ideal if you don’t mind your broody hens laying on the ground. It’s especially useful during quick DIY chicken run cheap clean-outs or as a temporary option in a compact chicken coop design DIY cheap.

2. Perfectly Reused Furniture As Nesting Boxes

This idea shows how old furniture can be repurposed into functional, cozy nesting boxes. Not only does it give your hens a comfy spot, but it also aligns with a lot of smart DIY chicken house concepts—modular, affordable, and adaptable.

3. Extra Truck Tires? You Mean Extra Nesting Room

One of the most creative ideas we’ve seen—repurposing tires into nesting areas! If you’re looking to reduce waste while updating your chicken house, this is a solid win.

4. Using Plastic Crates As Nesting Boxes Can Be Easy And Simple To Be Done

Plastic crates with extra bedding can be turned into easy-to-clean, durable boxes. This works great in any homemade chicken coop, especially for those following DIY chicken coop ideas easy cheap.

5. Speaking Of Plastic, Those 5 Gallon Buckets Can Be More Than Useful As Nesting Boxes

While buckets are often used for feeders and waterers, they double perfectly as nesting boxes. It’s a quick, low-cost fix for anyone building out a chicken pen or experimenting with chicken coop.

6. Make Your Hen Feel Like A Queen With This Elegant Nesting Box Idea

This setup may take up a little more space, but it’s ideal for small flocks with broody hens. It blends well into larger chicken house ideas or even duck coop ideas, if you’re raising multiple bird species.

7. If You Enjoy A Bottle Of Wine Every Weekend Or So Guess What The Wine Boxes Can Be Used For

Wine crates are sturdy, stackable, and stylish. With just a few nails, this turns into a fun weekend project—another great entry in the world of hen nesting boxes DIY.

8. There`s No Eggeater That Can Get To Her Eggs With This Extremely Smart Nesting Boxes Idea

Some chicken keepers don’t mess around. This smart design protects eggs while offering a neat look that fits right into any DIY chicken house or secure chicken pen layout.

9. Your Cat Doesn`t Want Its Box, Make A Nesting Box Out Of It

This is a creative example of cross-species repurposing. Whether you’re dealing with cats, dogs, or chickens, reusing pet items as nesting spaces is an underrated move in the homemade chicken coop world.

10. We Talked About Wine Boxes But What About Wine Barrels

This one combines nesting function and backyard decor in one. It’s especially fun if you’re into rustic aesthetics or want to add flair to your chicken coop or duck coop ideas.

How did you build your nesting boxes? Share your ideas with us in the comments below.