A 12 x 18 x 12 in plywood nest box with a 6 x 6 in hole and a hinged lid, hung on the side of a hutch compartment.
Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
12 x 18 x 12 inSize
6 x 6 inHole
1 to 2 hrBuild time
$50.33Materials
Drawings All dimensions in inches
3D viewfinishedFront elevationRight elevationPlan viewfrom above
Cut list: sheet goods
Part
Stock
Size
Note
Floor
1/2 ply
12 x 18
Front
1/2 ply
12 x 12
Back
1/2 ply
12 x 12
6 x 6 in hole to the hutch
Left side
1/2 ply
17 x 12
Right side
1/2 ply
17 x 12
Lid
1/2 ply
13 x 19
hinged at the back
Sheet cutting diagrams Dashed = openings to cut out
Sheet 1: 1/2 in plywood, 4 x 8 ft
Shopping list $50.33 checked / $0.00 estimated
Item
Store
Qty
Each
Line
Note
15/32 in (1/2 in) sheathing plywood, 4x8 sheet
Lowe's
1
$32.26
$32.26
see sheet cutting diagrams
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 1 lb box
Home Depot
1
$11.47
$11.47
Galvanized 6 in strap hinge, each (5-pack $32.99)
Home Depot
1
$6.60
$6.60
lid
Total before tax
$50.33
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.
Build steps
Cut the floor, front, back, two sides and the lid from the sheet layout. Cut a 6 x 6 in hole in the back, 1/2 in above the floor.
Screw the front, back and sides together on the floor and sand the hole's edge.
Cut a matching hole in the hutch's side, and screw the box to it with its hole lined up, from inside the compartment.
Hinge the lid on the top, and add a latch. Put 3 in of straw in the box a week before the doe kindles.
Before you start
A doe needs a nest box in the last week of pregnancy. She pulls fur to line it. A 12 x 18 in box is right for a medium breed; add 4 in for a large.
Remove the box when the kits leave the nest at three weeks, or leave it open for a hide.
The lid is hinged so you can check the kits each day. Wear clean hands.
Draft drawings generated from the model. Build one before selling this plan.