sleeping in nest boxes?

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FeelinFroggie

FeelinFroggie

In the Brooder
Jan 30, 2016
10
0
24
South Alabama
Hello! Ive acquired a year old Easter Egger and 3/ 4month old EE pullets this past week...all are being housed separately from my 6 girls, but together because thats how they were at their previous place...I have 1 nestbox in the coop for the 4 as I had been told the 1 year old is laying, as well as 2 roosts at different heights...but i have found the 3 pullets are hanging out in the nestbox...and the year old hasnt laid a single egg...should i add a 2nd nestbox? And should i be concerned that the 4 month olds are sleeping in the nest box during the day? I know theyre roosting at night, because i work late at night, and have a habit of checking the coops when i get home...thanks for all suggestions!
 
Not all chickens lay when first brought to there new home as she is probably still getting used to her new home as the pullets aren't really mature yet and will lay were ever as they are still getting used to there new instincts and I would keep them outside during the day and try to keep them out of the nest box do they show any signs of illness
 
When a hen is moved she may stop laying for a few weeks to get her bearings

Make sure the older hen is not bulling the pullets too much.

Edit- Didn't read it all the way through. Do the babies have enough area to get away from the older hen? it may be a pecking order thing and the babies are trying to hide from the hen.
 
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I would suspect your little ones are hiding from the older hen, nestboxes are safe and cozy to hang out in and many frightened young ones have done it. I would see if the older hen is picking on them too much before I blocked them out, eventually you will have to block your nests, or you can go out after dusk and remove them from the nestboxes and put them on the floor, at their age they may not roost yet, especially if it's cold where you are.
 
They're in a 12x12 coop, came from about a 6x6 pen...no bullying going on that I've seen--I tend to spend my down time with my girls-helps me decompress from hectic job..all 4 are eating and drinking well, feces are nice-everyone has -surprisingly clear eyes and noses considering what conditions they were living in...weekend was sunny and 60s, expecting rain tomorrow...I figured no eggs due to adjusting to new environment..was more worried about the younger ones spending so much time piled in the box...maybe they're intimidated by the size of the coop? They''re not near my established girls...should I add another nestbox?
 
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Lol yep 12x12. Hubby got a little overzealous with building his 1st coop...our house came with a built coop and established older flock...we wanted to raise some from chicks, so when it was time for them to go outside, he over built lol...but it comes in handy for quarantining new birds that I've (ahem) aquired...dang chicken math got me bad!!!
 
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Since they're new to us, I haven't let them free range yet..I usually wait 2-3 weeks before letting newbies out of their coops.. All my girls get out of their coops for about an hour or 2the days I work, wether permitting all day on my off days...yep. Spoiled.
 
I would add another nest box, you'll need one down the road, then maybe as Paganrose said add some things to break up the big spaces, stumps, troughs, short tables, short roosts, or a floor nest, maybe the young ones will get more comfortable.
 

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