6 Best Brooder Box Trays for Egg Collection

You reach into the nesting box, and your fingers find that familiar, sticky mess. Another cracked egg, likely pecked at by a curious hen and now attracting flies. This isn’t just a lost breakfast; it’s a potential catalyst for bad habits like egg-eating and a sanitation headache. The right egg collection system isn’t a luxury—it’s a fundamental tool for maintaining a clean coop and a healthy, productive flock.

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Rollaway Nests vs. Kuhl Plastic Egg Trays

The first decision isn’t about brands, but about systems. You’re choosing between a simple container and an engineered solution. A Kuhl plastic egg tray is essentially a durable, easy-to-clean liner for a traditional, flat-bottomed nest box. It’s an upgrade from loose straw, but it doesn’t solve the core problems of eggs getting soiled, pecked, or broken by the next hen in line.

A rollaway nest, by contrast, is a complete system. It features a sloped floor that gently guides the egg away from the hen and into a protected collection area. This immediately separates the egg from the hen, virtually eliminating pecking, trampling, and fecal contamination. The Kuhl tray makes cleaning easier; the rollaway nest makes eggs cleaner from the start.

The tradeoff is complexity and cost. A simple plastic tray is cheap and drops into any box you’ve already built. A rollaway system is a more significant investment in either a pre-built unit or a more complex DIY project. Your choice depends on whether your main problem is just messy bedding or if you’re consistently losing eggs to damage and dirt.

BestNestBox Rollaway: A Community Nest Solution

The BestNestBox design is a prime example of a community rollaway nest. Instead of individual stalls, it provides one large, curtained area for multiple hens to use. This can be highly efficient for flocks of 15 to 50 hens, as you only need to install and maintain one or two units.

Hens are drawn to the dark, private space created by the front curtain. Once an egg is laid on the sloped AstroTurf pad, it rolls forward under the curtain into a covered collection tray. This keeps the eggs pristine and safe from the hens. The collection tray is easily accessible from the front, making collection a quick, clean task.

The primary consideration here is hen behavior. While efficient, some flocks may experience crowding or competition for the single large space. This system is ideal for harmonious flocks where a single, popular nesting spot won’t cause traffic jams. If you have particularly bossy hens, multiple single-stall nests might be a better fit to keep the peace.

Miller Little Giant: Single Roll-Out Nesting Box

If a community nest feels like too much for your small flock, the Miller Little Giant offers the same rollaway benefits in a single-stall package. This is a straightforward, durable plastic unit designed for one hen at a time. It’s a perfect solution for flocks of 3 to 10 birds where you might install two or three individual boxes.

The design is simple: a hen enters, lays her egg on the sloped floor, and the egg rolls safely into a front-covered compartment. This prevents other hens from damaging the egg while they wait their turn. Because it’s plastic, it’s incredibly easy to hose down and disinfect, a huge advantage over porous wood boxes.

This approach gives you flexibility. You can add more boxes as your flock grows, and placing them in different locations can reduce squabbles over a single "best" spot. The Miller Little Giant is a modular, sanitary solution for small-scale chicken keepers who prioritize hygiene and flock harmony. The main tradeoff is that you’ll pay more per "nesting space" compared to a larger community box.

Brower Roll-Out Nests for Durability and Ease

When you’re ready for a long-term, heavy-duty solution, Brower nests are the answer. Typically constructed from galvanized steel, these are built to last a lifetime. They resist wear, are impervious to pecking, and make mite and lice control far simpler than with wooden boxes.

Brower offers models in various configurations, from single nests to large, multi-hole community banks. The roll-out mechanism is reliable, and the metal construction means you can aggressively scrub and sanitize them without worrying about damage. This durability comes at a higher upfront cost, but it eliminates the need to replace weathered or broken wooden boxes every few years.

Think of this as an investment in coop infrastructure. If you’re settled on your location and flock size, a Brower nest provides a "buy it once, cry once" solution. Its primary advantages are unmatched longevity and superior biosecurity, making it a top choice for farmers who see their flock as a permanent fixture.

RentACoop Nest Box Insert: A Simple Upgrade

What if you already have perfectly good wooden nest boxes but are tired of cracked eggs? The RentACoop Nest Box Insert is a brilliant solution. It’s a sloped, plastic insert that you simply place inside your existing nest boxes, instantly converting them into rollaway nests.

This product bridges the gap between basic nests and a full-blown rollaway system. You get the main benefit—getting the egg away from the hen quickly—without having to rebuild your coop’s interior. The egg rolls into a small, protected collection area at the front of the insert. It’s a five-minute upgrade that solves a major problem.

This is the most practical choice for anyone on a budget or with an established coop layout they don’t want to change. It offers about 80% of the benefit of a dedicated rollaway nest for a fraction of the cost and effort. The only real downside is that the collection area isn’t as large or protected as in a purpose-built system, but it’s a massive improvement over a flat floor.

Harris Farms Nest Pads: An Alternative to Trays

Sometimes, the problem isn’t the box itself, but the landing zone. Harris Farms Nest Pads are a great example of how improving the nesting material can drastically reduce cracks, even in a standard box. These pads are made of a dense, grass-like plastic that cushions the egg as it’s laid.

Unlike loose straw or shavings that get kicked around, these pads stay put. They provide a consistent, soft surface that prevents eggs from cracking on a hard floor. They also have a porous design that allows moisture and droppings to fall through, keeping the surface cleaner and drier for the hens and the eggs.

While a pad won’t stop a determined egg-eater or prevent eggs from getting dirty, it’s a crucial first step. For keepers who aren’t ready for a rollaway system, a high-quality nest pad is the single best upgrade to reduce incidental cracks. They are often used in conjunction with rollaway nests to provide a clean and comfortable surface for the hens.

Duncan’s Poultry Rollaway for Small Flocks

Duncan’s Poultry offers another excellent option, often praised for its thoughtful design tailored to backyard flocks. These nests are typically made of a durable, non-porous plastic or galvanized metal, focusing on ease of use and effective egg protection. They often feature a slightly steeper slope, ensuring even small bantam eggs roll away reliably.

What sets some of these smaller-brand designs apart is attention to detail. You might find features like a removable floor tray for even easier cleaning or a specific texture on the nesting pad that hens seem to prefer. They provide a solid middle ground between basic plastic models and heavy-duty metal banks.

This is a great choice for the hobby farmer who wants a well-engineered product without committing to a large, quasi-commercial system. Duncan’s and similar brands offer purpose-built quality for the serious backyarder. Always check the dimensions to ensure it fits your space and your birds, as some models are better suited for standard-sized breeds.

Choosing Liners: Excelsior vs. AstroTurf Pads

The floor of your nest box matters just as much as its design. The two most common liners for rollaway nests are excelsior pads and "AstroTurf" or grass-like pads. Each has distinct advantages.

Excelsior pads are made of wood shavings bound together. They are absorbent, inexpensive, and disposable. Hens often love the texture and can customize their nest a bit. The downside is that they break down, need frequent replacement, and can harbor mites if not changed regularly.

AstroTurf-style pads are the opposite. They are a one-time purchase, are easy to remove and scrub clean, and last for years. They don’t absorb moisture, instead allowing it to pass through. The main tradeoff is the higher initial cost and the fact that some hens are hesitant to use the artificial surface at first.

Your choice comes down to a simple tradeoff:

• Excelsior: Lower upfront cost, more natural feel for hens, but requires ongoing replacement and management.
• AstroTurf: Higher upfront cost, superior hygiene and durability, but may require a short adjustment period for your flock.

Ultimately, the best system is the one that fits your flock’s size, your budget, and your tolerance for dirty or broken eggs. Whether you choose a simple pad upgrade or a full steel rollaway system, the goal is the same: to collect clean, intact eggs with minimal effort. Investing in a better nesting solution pays for itself quickly, not just in salvaged eggs, but in time saved and frustration avoided.