If you’re upgrading your coop, you’ve probably seen two very different kinds of nesting boxes: classic open nests, and rollaway boxes where the eggs disappear from the nest on their own. Here’s how they compare — and how to tell which is right for your flock.
What makes a box “rollaway”?
A rollaway nesting box has a gently sloped floor. When a hen lays, the egg rolls forward into a covered collection area, out of reach of the flock. With a traditional box, the egg simply stays in the bedding until you collect it.
The advantages of rollaway boxes
- Cleaner eggs: eggs leave the nest right away, so they pick up far less dirt, droppings, and moisture.
- Fewer cracked eggs: hens can’t step on or jostle eggs that have already rolled away.
- Less egg-eating: once a hen tastes an egg it can become a costly habit. Rollaway boxes remove the temptation by moving eggs out of sight.
- Better coop hygiene: in our boxes, a rubber-coated wire floor keeps the nest cleaner and reduces the moisture and bacteria that build up in traditional bedding.
- Collect eggs without entering the coop: our boxes are reversible, so you can install them to gather eggs from inside the coop or from the outside — whichever suits your setup.
- Very little maintenance: the wire-mesh floor is mostly self-cleaning, so the nest stays tidy without the constant upkeep of traditional bedding.
When a traditional box is fine
If you keep just a few hens and collect eggs several times a day, a simple open box can work. The trade-offs tend to show up as your flock grows, eggs sit longer, or you get tired of washing dirty eggs.
What to look for in a rollaway box
Not all rollaway boxes are built the same. Ours are hand-crafted in Ohio by Amish craftsmen from galvanized metal and stainless steel hardware, with a proprietary rubber-coated wire designed to hold up to harsh weather and daily use. They’re fully reversible — so you can collect eggs from inside or outside the coop — the wire-mesh floor is mostly self-cleaning for minimal upkeep, and the dividers can be left out for a community-style setup.
Which should you choose?
For most keepers who want cleaner eggs and less daily work, a quality rollaway box pays for itself in convenience. Pick the size that matches your flock and you’re set:
- 3-Hole Nest Box — up to 36 hens
- 5-Hole Nest Box — up to 60 hens
See both boxes compared → Free shipping to Ohio, with discounted shipping and no tax to other states.