nesting box

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jbblack

jbblack

In the Brooder
Sep 27, 2015
21
6
44
Carmichael, CA
My Coop
My Coop

Hi this is our flock. All in one nesting box every night.

Pita Pinta - Abigail, Bella, Carmen July 5 3 mths 27 days
Sicilian Buttercup - Fiona Aug 15 2 mths 17 days
Cuccoo Maran - Dharma Jul 28 3 mths 4 days
Golden Wyandotte - Eva Aug 4 2 mths 28 days

Any suggestions to get them to start using all 3 nesting boxes?

There is a roost at the other end.

Thanks for any suggestions.
 
You DON'T want them using the nesting boxes. My recommendation is to block those off until your girls are showing signs that eggs are imminent. Nesting boxes are for laying eggs, and hatching eggs in, brooding chicks in. The birds who no longer need mama heat need to learn to stay out of the boxes unless they are laying eggs! I'd block those boxes off. Do they have a perch??? at least 10 linear inches/bird, and far enough from the wall/ceiling that they don't touch it with beak/feathers.? That's where they should be spending their nights. Block the nests and they'll start roosting.
 
Hi I have added more roosts as you suggested and I covered the nesting boxes. I have attached a photo. The flock has been using the roosts about a month. The chickens range from 23 weeks to 17 weeks. When would you suggest opening up the nesting boxes. Thanks

 
I would open them again since they are using the roosts. If they go back into the nest box you can block them off again, i don't think at this point they would go back in.
 
Zinniah said:
I would open them again since they are using the roosts. If they go back into the nest box you can block them off again, i don't think at this point they would go back in.
Click to expand...
Ditto Dat^^^

BUT...watch closely by checking just after full dark for the first week or so to be sure they are not sleeping on nests,
break that habit again pronto if you see it by taking them out of nests and putting them back on the roost.
 

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