8 Supplies for Building a DIY Nesting Box for Chickens

Your hens have started laying, but their chosen spots are all over the coop—in a dusty corner, under the roosts, and even in the feeder. Building a dedicated nesting box provides a clean, safe, and consistent place for them to lay, making egg collection a simple daily chore instead of a frustrating treasure hunt. With the right materials and tools, you can build a sturdy, hen-approved nesting box in a single afternoon.

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Key Considerations for Your DIY Nesting Box

Before you make a single cut, understand what a hen wants in a nesting box. The goal is a space that feels private, safe, and comfortable. A standard-sized hen like a Leghorn or Plymouth Rock needs a box that is roughly a 12-inch cube—big enough to turn around in, but small enough to feel cozy and secure. Bantam breeds can get by with a smaller 10-inch cube, while larger birds like Jersey Giants will appreciate a 14-inch space.

A good design incorporates a few key features. A slanted roof is crucial to prevent birds from roosting on top of the box and soiling it. A front lip, about 4 inches high, helps keep the bedding material inside the box where it belongs. Finally, the box should be placed in a quiet, dimly lit part of the coop, preferably elevated slightly off the ground, to give your hens the privacy they instinctively seek for laying.

Plywood Sheathing – Sande Plywood (3/4-in)

The foundation of your nesting box is the wood you choose, and for this job, plywood is the clear winner. It’s strong, stable, and easy to cut into the precise panels you need. While cheaper options like OSB (Oriented Strand Board) exist, they are prone to swelling with moisture and have a rough texture that can cause splinters and be difficult to clean.

Sande Plywood is an excellent choice for this project due to its smooth, pre-sanded surface and solid core. The 3/4-inch thickness provides outstanding rigidity, ensuring your box won’t warp or flex over time, and it holds screws exceptionally well without splitting. This smooth surface is not just for looks; it’s kinder to your hens’ feet and makes cleaning and sealing the box far easier.

Before buying, measure your coop to determine how many nesting boxes you can fit and calculate your cuts to make the most of a standard 4×8-foot sheet. While Sande Plywood costs more than basic sheathing, its durability and superior finish make it a worthwhile investment for a piece of equipment that will be used daily for years. This material is for the builder who values longevity and a high-quality, safe environment for their flock.

Wood Screws – Deckmate #8 x 1-5/8 in. Star Screws

Nails might be faster, but screws create a stronger, more durable nesting box that can withstand the rigors of the coop. Screws pull the wood panels together tightly and allow for easy disassembly if you ever need to make a repair. For joining 3/4-inch plywood, a 1-5/8-inch screw is the perfect length to get a secure bite without poking through the other side.

The Deckmate #8 x 1-5/8 in. Star Screws are the right tool for the job. Their primary advantage is the star drive (or Torx) head, which provides a much more positive engagement with the drill bit than Phillips or square drives. This means you’ll experience virtually no "cam-out" or stripping, a common frustration that can slow down a project. These screws also feature a corrosion-resistant coating, which is essential for the humid, ammonia-rich environment of a chicken coop.

Make sure you have the corresponding star drive bit for your drill; most boxes of Deckmate screws include one. While these screws are slightly more expensive than standard Phillips head screws, the time and aggravation they save during assembly are invaluable. They are the ideal choice for anyone who wants a smooth, frustration-free building process and a rock-solid final product.

Tape Measure – Stanley FATMAX Classic Tape Measure

The old saying "measure twice, cut once" is the golden rule of any woodworking project. Inaccurate measurements lead to wasted wood, poorly fitting joints, and a wobbly, unprofessional-looking nesting box. A reliable, easy-to-read tape measure is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for getting the project right the first time.

The Stanley FATMAX Classic is a standout for its sheer usability. Its defining feature is the extra-wide blade with a significant standout, meaning you can extend the tape for seven feet or more before it bends. This is incredibly helpful when you’re working alone and need to measure a full sheet of plywood. The large, clear markings are easy to read at a glance, and the durable case can handle being dropped on a barn floor.

A 25-foot model is a versatile length for nearly any project on a small farm. The only real maintenance is keeping the blade and hook free of dirt and grime to ensure accuracy. For the serious DIYer, the FATMAX is a foundational tool that outlasts and outperforms cheaper alternatives, making it a smart investment for this project and countless others to come.

Circular Saw – DEWALT 20V MAX 6-1/2-in. Circular Saw

Breaking down a full sheet of plywood into manageable pieces requires a power saw, and a circular saw offers the best combination of speed, power, and portability for this task. It allows you to make long, straight cuts quickly and efficiently, something that would be tedious and inaccurate with a handsaw.

The DEWALT 20V MAX 6-1/2-in. Circular Saw is an excellent choice for the hobby farmer because it’s cordless and powerful. The freedom from a power cord is a huge advantage when you’re working in a barn, shed, or yard that’s far from an outlet. This saw has plenty of power to rip through 3/4-inch plywood without bogging down, and its relatively light weight reduces fatigue during use. As part of the extensive DEWALT 20V MAX system, the batteries are interchangeable with dozens of other tools.

Using a circular saw safely and accurately requires some practice. For perfectly straight cuts, clamp a straight edge or a speed square to the plywood to act as a guide for the saw’s base plate. Ensure you have a fully charged battery before starting a series of cuts. This saw is perfect for the builder who plans to tackle more than just one project and values the convenience and mobility of a cordless system.

Cordless Drill – Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless Drill/Driver

A cordless drill is essential for assembling your nesting box, allowing you to drive screws quickly and with consistent force. It’s also used for pre-drilling pilot holes, a critical step to prevent the edges of your plywood from splitting when you insert a screw.

The Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless Drill/Driver is a fantastic option for its balance of performance, affordability, and versatility. It delivers more than enough power and torque to drive the 1-5/8-inch screws into your plywood. The adjustable clutch is a key feature, allowing you to set the torque so the screw stops turning when it’s perfectly flush, preventing you from accidentally over-driving and weakening the joint.

The biggest advantage of the Ryobi is its ONE+ battery platform, which powers hundreds of other tools, from sanders to string trimmers. While it may not have the heavy-duty construction of a professional contractor’s drill, it is more than capable for any woodworking or maintenance task on a small farm. This drill is the perfect choice for the budget-conscious DIYer who wants a reliable tool that’s part of a massive and affordable ecosystem.

Orbital Sander – BLACK+DECKER 5-in. Random Orbit Sander

Once your pieces are cut, the edges will be sharp and potentially splintery. Sanding is the step that transforms your project from a rough wooden box into a finished piece of equipment that’s safe for you to handle and for your hens to use. An orbital sander makes this process fast and easy, delivering a much smoother finish than you could achieve by hand.

The BLACK+DECKER 5-in. Random Orbit Sander is a simple, effective tool that gets the job done without a high price tag. Its random orbit action moves the sanding pad in an unpredictable pattern, which prevents the swirl marks that simpler sanders can leave behind. It uses standard 5-inch hook-and-loop sanding discs, which are easy to find and quick to change.

This is a corded tool, so you’ll need access to an outlet or an extension cord. Sanding creates a lot of dust, so it’s best to work outside or in a well-ventilated area while wearing a dust mask and your safety glasses. For the builder who wants a smooth, splinter-free finish without spending a lot of money or time, this affordable sander is a smart addition to the workshop.

Safety Glasses – 3M SecureFit 400 Series Safety Glasses

Woodworking involves flying debris—sawdust from the circular saw, fine dust from the sander, and the potential for a screw to slip. Protecting your eyes is not optional; it’s a fundamental part of working safely. A good pair of safety glasses should be so comfortable that you forget you’re even wearing them.

The 3M SecureFit 400 Series Safety Glasses excel in comfort and clarity. Their key feature is the proprietary Pressure Diffusion Temple Technology, which allows the flexible arms to self-adjust to a wide range of head sizes. This eliminates the uncomfortable pressure points behind the ears that cause people to take their glasses off. The lenses feature an anti-fog coating, which is a huge benefit when working in humid conditions or moving between a cool workshop and a warm barn.

These glasses offer excellent impact protection for a very low cost. They are not a replacement for sealed goggles in extremely dusty environments, but for the cutting, drilling, and assembly involved in this project, they are perfect. There is no one this product isn’t for; every builder, regardless of experience level, needs a reliable pair of safety glasses within arm’s reach.

Wood Sealer – TUNGSEAL 100% Pure Tung Oil Finish

The inside of a chicken coop is a harsh environment for wood. Moisture, ammonia, and mites can all degrade untreated plywood over time. Sealing your nesting box is a crucial final step to protect your investment, make it easier to clean, and create a more hygienic space for your hens.

For any surface that will be in direct contact with animals or the food they produce, a non-toxic sealer is the only responsible choice. TUNGSEAL 100% Pure Tung Oil is an excellent option because it is a natural, food-safe finish once fully cured. Unlike polyurethane or varnish, which creates a plastic film on the surface, tung oil penetrates deep into the wood fibers, hardening them and creating a durable, water-resistant, and breathable finish that won’t chip or peel.

The main consideration with pure tung oil is its long curing time. You must allow the nesting box to cure for several days or even weeks in a well-ventilated area until it is no longer tacky and the nutty smell has dissipated. This is not the product for someone in a hurry, but it is the right choice for the flock owner who prioritizes animal health and a long-lasting, natural wood finish.

Pro Tips for Assembling Your Nesting Box

With your materials cut and tools ready, a few simple techniques can ensure a smooth assembly process. Before driving any screws, pre-drill pilot holes that are slightly smaller than the screw’s diameter. This simple step gives the screw a path to follow and is the single best way to prevent the edges of your plywood from splitting.

Work on a flat, level surface like a garage floor or sturdy workbench to ensure your box comes together squarely. Use a speed square or framing square to check that your corners are a perfect 90 degrees as you join the first few pieces. It’s also much easier to sand all your cut pieces before you begin assembly, as this gives you easy access to all the flat surfaces and edges.

Choosing the Best Bedding for Your New Boxes

The best nesting box is useless without clean, comfortable bedding. The goal is to provide a soft cushion for the eggs and to keep the box clean and dry. The two most popular choices are pine shavings and straw. Pine shavings are highly absorbent and do a great job of managing moisture and odor, plus they compost well.

Straw is a more traditional choice and provides excellent cushioning. However, it is not as absorbent as shavings and can sometimes harbor mites if not sourced from a clean supplier. Another option is specialized nesting pads, which are often made of excelsior wood fibers or astroturf. While more expensive, they are easy to clean and can be a good solution for hens that habitually kick their bedding out of the box. Whatever you choose, plan to replace it regularly to maintain a hygienic laying environment.

Placing Your Nesting Box for Maximum Comfort

Where you put your nesting box is just as important as how you build it. Hens are instinctively drawn to lay their eggs in locations that feel hidden and safe from predators. Place your new nesting boxes in the quietest, darkest corner of the coop, away from the main door, feeders, and waterers where traffic is heaviest.

Elevating the boxes 18 to 24 inches off the floor is also a good practice. This separation from the floor level makes the hens feel more secure and keeps the boxes cleaner from floor litter that gets kicked around. If you have multiple boxes, arrange them in a row. A little bit of planning on placement will dramatically increase the chances that your hens will adopt their new boxes quickly and use them consistently.

Building your own nesting box is more than just a woodworking project; it’s a way to provide a better, cleaner, and more comfortable environment for your flock. With these sturdy supplies and a bit of afternoon work, you’ll have a durable set of boxes that makes egg collecting the easiest part of your day. Now, get out there and start building.