Page title: FAQ

We really think so! We've not received a single report of a fox getting into one of our coops. Our ‘chew-resistant’ coops are made from 100% recycled plastic which is really tough, and the ventilation holes are far too small for a fox. The rear door is lockable and the front door is reinforced with rotating metal slide, which makes it difficult to open by lifting, unlike classic vertical sliding doors.

Unfortunately, nothing is 100% red mite-proof. However, Nestera chicken coops are cleverly designed to be extremely red mite-resistant! Red mites are tiny, and live in cracks and joints in poultry housing. Unlike wooden chicken coops, ours are made from solid 100% recycled plastic and created to ensure there are very few suitable places for red mite to hide. We recommend sprinkling Diatom powder around the coop when refreshing the bedding, so any mites present are quickly dealt with before they can multiply.

The plastic we use is 100% recycled which we have found to be an excellent material for chicken coops. In the winter months, the required ventilation means the temperature inside the coop will be similar to the ambient air temperature outside. However, chickens are quite tolerant of the cold as their feathers provide good insulation. During the warmer summer months, our solid, UV-resistant roofs reflects the sun's heat really well, keeping your chickens cool and comfortable.

For our standard coops, we have three sizes available: Small, Medium and Large. The Small is designed for up to two large fowls or four bantams, the Medium for up to five large fowls or nine bantams and the Large suits up to eight large fowls or 15 bantams.

The Wagon is suitable for up to eight large birds or 15 bantams.

Absolutely! We offer a Nestera Automatic Door Opener as an optional extra with all our coops. Discreet pre-drilled holes are included on each coop for easy installation.

Most people manage to successfully assemble their Nestera coop in well under an hour. You certainly don’t need to be a DIY expert! We provide clear and easy-to-follow instructions with every chicken coop which can also be downloaded above.

Our 2m Run and 1m Run Extension are designed to fit securely to the Raised Large Coop only.

The size of Run you choose depends on the size of your flock, what breed of chicken they are and how much additional outdoor space they have for roaming free outside the Run.

We always recommend allowing your chickens as much outdoor space as possible – whether that’s letting them free range in your garden or by using our 1m Run Extension, which offers a total of 3 metres of secure outdoor space. 

The 2m Run includes the space under the Raised Coop. Its dimensions are:  

Height: 956mm
Width: 925mm
Length: 1150mm 

The additional 1m Run Extension dimensions are: 

Height: 956mm 
Width: 925mm 
Length: 1150mm 

There are three access points on the Run. The main door is on the end mesh panel and is secured with a sliding steel bolt. There are two additional hatches under the rear of the coop. These can be open and closed easily and are secured with dual fastenings made of strong and durable recycled plastic.

These rear hatches are ideal for accessing the secure area under the coop to leave food and water.

The dimensions of the door on the end panel of the Run are:

Height: 480mm
Width: 400mm.

The door is made from the same ‘anti-chew’ hot-dip galvanised steel weld mesh as the rest of the Run and can be secured shut with a sliding steel bolt.  

Yes, you can! With using the coop with the Wheelset, moving your coop and Run is a quick and easy job that can be done by one or two people.

Simply engage the Wheelset into the appropriate slots and move the Coop by lifting the Run’s end panel before pushing/pulling it into its new position. 

Sure! Once you have the 2m Run and 1m Run Extension installed, there’s nothing to stop you increasing the length of your Run by simply attaching additional 1m Run Extensions onto the end of it.

All the products we make are built to last. Our Runs are constructed from hot-dip galvanised steel weld mesh and have a durable PPA coating which means they can be left outside all year round in all weather conditions.

All our Runs come with a 10-year anti-corrosion warranty to offer you further peace of mind. 

We recommend waiting until your chicks are at least 6 weeks old before letting them play outside in the coop Run.

When introducing chicks to the Run, it’s best to keep them separate from the rest of the flock for a week or so. This allows them time to familiarise themselves with the Run before interacting with the rest of the flock.  

You have two options: 
You can save and store videos under 1GB for free for seven days on the VicoHome app. This can be extended to 60 days with a cloud service subscription. 

Alternatively, you can use a Micro SD Card (up to 128GB) in the camera. However, videos saved to your Micro SD Card cannot be shared, downloaded or deleted directly from the VicoHome app – you will need to do this by inserting the Micro SD Card into an external reader. 

You can add as many cameras as you like to your VicoHome app account. The more the merrier!

When set to ‘Auto’, the camera will record for up to three minutes as soon as motion is detected.

This WiFi camera works on a 2.4GHz wireless network. The device does not yet support the 5GHz wireless network. Please ensure the WiFi authentication method to WPA2-PSK or any other lower level of security. A password is required for additional security.

It sure will! Once the camera is set up, if a Micro SD Card is inserted, it can record videos even without an internet connection. An internet connection is only required if the footage needs to be accessed remotely via the app.

A physical copy of the User Guide is included with the camera in the packaging, but you can also download it from ourUser Guides page.

If you are using the VicoHome app on an Apple device running iOS 13 or above, you need to go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services, find the VicoHome app on the list and select ‘While Using the App’.

The camera’s built-in infrared light displays a dim red light when night vision is activated. This doesn’t disturb or affect the birds in any way. The image quality is still clear in low light or in total darkness.

This distance can vary depending on various factors, such as your WiFi strength and the surrounding environment. Things like thick walls, large metal objects nearby and electromagnetic devices can all interfere with a WiFi signal. If you find your connection to be weak, place the camera as close to your router as possible.

9 times out of 10, simply restarting the device will fix most issues. Turn the camera off by holding down the power button underneath for 5 seconds. If required, insert a pin into the reboot hole to restart the camera.  

If you’re still having an issue with your camera, drop us a line at support@nestera.eco or call 01963 371563 and we’ll have you up and running again in no time.   

The Automatic Door Opener is powered by 4 x AA batteries (included).

Don’t worry, this is normal. To preserve battery life, the LCD display is designed to enter ‘sleep mode’ after a period of inactivity. You can ‘wake’ it again by pressing the Menu button. 

Please ensure all 4 x AA batteries are new and inserted correctly, and that the battery cable wire is not being pinched between the lid and the box. It’s also worth checking that any connector cables haven’t been accidentally loosened while fitting the unit.

If these steps don’t offer a solution, drop us a line at support@nestera.eco and we’ll have you up and running again in no time. 

The light sensor is designed to activate the coop door over a gradual light change. This ensures the door isn’t opened automatically in a lightning storm or in car headlights, for example. The sensor takes an average light reading every three minutes to account for this.

Please note, if your automatic door opener is positioned near a floodlight or streetlight, this may affect the light sensor. It is best to position your coop away from ambient lighting. 

The cord provided with the unit is 1.5m long. Please bear in mind that this includes a small length that needs to remain wound around the spindle inside the unit. 

Restart the door calibration process with open and closed position of the door. Press the main button to activate the screen and press it a second time to enter the main menu.

Step 1: Calibrate the door in its open position and confirm the position with the main button

Step 2: Repeat in the door closed position.

Step 3: Select mode for door opening: Manual, Timer or Sensor.

Step 4: Repeat mode selection for door closing: Manual, Timer or Sensor.

If Sensor mode is selected, choose the LUX (light) level you want to trigger the for opening and closing process.

As long as you have a garden or outdoor space, you can keep chickens and enjoy freshly laid eggs every morning. Whether you live in the city or countryside, an increasing number of people are now keeping chickens in their garden, mainly due to how easy it is. However, we recommend checking with your local authority first, as a small number don’t allow chickens to be kept in gardens. If you rent your property, we advise you to check your tenancy agreement as it will likely include rules about keeping animals.

Luckily, chickens don't require a lot of space. The absolute minimum area for a run is 1 square metre per bird but the more space you can provide for your birds, the better; so we recommend at least 2 square metres per bird. Many people grant their chickens free reign of their entire garden, but it's worth remembering some chickens enjoy making a mess, so a run may be preferable.

The 1950 Allotment Act states you can keep chickens on an allotment as long as they are for the allotment holders’ use only and not used for business or profit. However, we suggest you check your specific allotment's rules as some allotment landlords do not allow poultry. If there is a complaint about your birds being a nuisance or a health hazard, or if their welfare is affected in any way, the authorities have the power to remove them.

Generally, no. Hens do make a range of noises, but these are mostly gentle and quiet... until they've laid an egg, when they like to have a quick shout about their achievement - and who can blame them? The noisy ones are the males, known as roosters or cockerels. They are territorial birds and love nothing better than regularly telling everyone that the hens are his!

Cockerels traditionally also crow loudly at sunrise. Because chickens are early risers, when the sun comes up every morning, he will proudly announce his presence to the world. However, not everyone appreciates this early morning wake-up call, so this is something to consider if you have neighbours living nearby.

If handled from young, chickens will become very tame and make fantastic family pets. Keeping chickens in your garden is great fun for children of all ages and provides hours of entertainment, as well as the opportunity to learn about sustainability, caring for animals and where eggs comes from.

Keeping chickens is really easy and doesn't require a of your time. Chickens are quite happy occupying themselves by exploring your garden or their run. The only things chickens require of you is to let them out of their coop in the morning (although this can be done with a Nestera Automatic Door Opener), ensure they have sufficient food and water, remove their eggs and put them back into their coop at night. Their coop will need cleaning out once a week - but our cleverly designed Nestera coops ensure this is always a very quick and easy job!

The range is approximately 15-20m depending on the environment and the range of your router. Take your phone to where you want to install your bird box; if it receives at least two ‘bars’ of WiFi from your router, then this should be enough signal for the WiFi camera.

Do some quick checks:

Have you left the lens cap or protective lens sticker on on the camera? (We've all done it!)

Are all the cable connections firmly plugged in?

If these don't resolve the issue, get in touch with support@nestera.eco and we'll have you up and running in no time.

Just follow the simple step-by-step instructions on our free Nestera Bird Cam app for iOS and Android smart devices. All our bird box cameras include a set of printed instructions, too - which can also be downloaded from the product page. 

Download our free Nestera Bird Cam app:

iOS users please click here

Android users please click here

Yes they are. No technical knowledge is required, and to make things as easy as possible, we included clear, easy-to-follow instructions with each order. Plus, we’re always on hand should you need any help, support or advice. Get in touch with support@nestera.eco.

If it’s the solar panel’s first use: Each of the 6 x lithium-ion batteries inside the solar panel has a protective plastic tab (to safely store and transport them) that must be removed before first use. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the battery compartment’s back panel. Take out each battery individually and remove its protective plastic tab before re-inserting them and re-attaching the battery compartment’s back panel.

If the solar panel is already in use: The solar panel’s battery may have simply run down. Unplug and remove the solar panel from where it is installed and take the solar panel indoors to charge it with its Micro USB cable.

This probably means not enough natural light is getting into the bird box. When positioning your bird box, try to keep the translucent windows on each side reasonably clear of foliage or other obstructions to ensure enough natural light can enter the nesting chamber.

To maximise the chances of birds nesting, we only use natural daylight to illuminate the inside of our bird boxes. A drop in light will trigger the LUX sensor and activate the infrared LEDs which are designed to provide black and white images when it’s dark.

You should aim to have your bird box in place by the end of February or the beginning of March. Garden birds start breeding around mid-February. However, we have known bird boxes put up as late as April to have success.

Simply use boiling water to clean out your nest box. We recommend old nests be removed from August onwards (or once you are certain the birds have stopped using the nest box).
Most birds' nests harbour fleas and other parasites which can remain in situ to infest young birds that hatch the following year. Boiling water kills any remaining parasites. Always let the box dry out thoroughly before replacing the front or top panels.
It's important to never use insecticides or flea powders in your bird box.

Sadly, yes. It's quite normal for a few eggs to fail to hatch, or for some young to die. Blue and Great Tits lay up to 14 eggs to allow for such losses.
Cold weather and/or food shortages may lead to nest desertion, or for only the strongest of the chicks to survive. The death of one parent or interference from animals or humans may also cause nest desertion.
Remember. if there are unhatched eggs in a nest box, these can only legally be removed between August and January.

This depends on a range of factors, such as internal nest box size, entrance hole size, how high off the ground the nest box is situated, etc. Nestera bird boxes are designed following RSPB and BTO recommendations and constructed from 18mm thick, responsibly sourced wood.
Our nest boxes are fitted with a 32mm entrance hole as standard, which will attract the widest range of garden birds, including Blue Tits, Marsh Tits, Coal Tits, Great Tits, House Sparrows, and when the centre panel is removed (open fronted), you can expect Nuthatches, Robins, Wrens and more!

There are a number of things to consider when mounting a Nestera bird box to maximise your chances of birds nesting in it. A more detailed checklist can be found here, but some of the key things to consider are:
Direction – face your nest box between North and East
Shelter – avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight
Access – ensure the birds have a clear flight path to the nest box
Height – different species prefer different distances from the ground
Fixing – tilt your nest box forward slightly so driving rain can’t penetrate the nest box.

Our nest boxes are constructed from responsibly sourced Western Red Cedar which proves to be hardy against all weather conditions.
As well as this, we are trusted to manufacture the RSPB-branded Pine nest box camera systems, which are also FSC-certified.

The high-performance solar panel has its own integrated 15600mA lithium-ion battery pack which is recharged by the sun and keeps the battery camera charged up.

If you notice the power on the battery camera is running low, you can simply take the solar panel indoors to recharge its battery pack with its Micro USB cable - all without disturbing the birds.

Simplytap ‘Share Device’ in the Nestera Bird Cam app settings and select any contact on your phone to send them an invitation. Once they’ve downloaded the Nestera Bird Cam app and created an account, you can then grant them access to your camera.

Just follow the simple step-by-step instructions on our Nestera Bird Cam app for iOS and Android smart devices. All our bird box cameras include a set of printed instructions, too - which can also be downloaded from the product page. 

Download our free Nestera Bird Cam app:

iOS users please click here

Android users please click here

Delivery of all Nestera products over £49 is completely free... nada... zilch... zip... zero... nothing... no money... Pretty great, right?

Our amazing team aim to get your order delivered to you within 2-4 days of your order confirmation.

Yes, we'll keep you updated with every step of your coop's journey. When your order is ready to ship, you'll receive an email with the tracking number to let you know it's on its way.

You certainly can! You'll receive up-to-date tracking information in an email the moment it's passed to our courier. You can also log into your Nestera account at any time to check your order and/or delivery status.

To change or cancel an order, contact us by phone on 01963 371563 or email support@nestera.eco as soon as possible after ordering. You can also log into your account to check the the delivery status of your order.

First, check the couriers's tracking information to find out what items were delivered. If any items still appear to be out for delivery, please contact the courier. Otherwise, contact us for further assistance and we'll be happy to help.

Our products are all shipped flat-packed for self-assembly in fully recyclable packaging. Easy-to-follow instructions are always included and can also be downloaded here.

Let us know which parts are missing or damaged and we'll send replacements out to you ASAP. Please use the part descriptions in the User Guide, so we can accurately identify each part required.

Of course! We pride ourselves on our green credentials. Not only are Nestera chicken coops made from 100% recycled plastic, but every last bit of the packaging it's delivered in is recyclable.

We offer a huge range of payment methods: Credit or Debit Card (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express), Paypal, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Shop Pay or you can buy now and pay later with Klarna.

You can complete your order using our secure online Checkout, or call us on 01963 371563 to make payment securely over the phone.

Our website has been designed and built using the highest security measures. Our online Checkout is powered by Shopify, which is certified Level 1 PCI DSS compliant. We do not store any card details on our servers and always ensure our website is kept updated.

To apply a discount code, simply enter it in the relevant field at the payment stage of our secure Checkout and click 'Apply'.

We regularly offer exclusive discounts in our newsletter, which you can subscribe to below.
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We want you to be 100% happy with your Nestera products.

If, for any reason, you are not completely satisfied with your order, we offer a no-quibble, 30-day returns policy.

Just like delivery, Nestera returns are also free.

Simply email us at support@nestera.eco to arrange your return.

Your refund or replacement will be issued as soon as we receive your item/s. Refunds will be made within 48 hours of receipt of the item/s back to your original payment method. Please allow up to 3 working days for the refund to appear on your bank statement.