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Sleeping in their nesting boxes

post #1 of 7
4/18/12 at 4:55pm
Thread Starter 

Hello,

 

I have four chickens and they like to sleep in one of their nesting boxes and not the roost that I made for them.  They have only been in the coop for about a week.  I am not sure if they will when start to roost as they mature as they are only three months old???

 

Thanks

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post #2 of 7
4/18/12 at 6:29pm

At twelve weeks they should roosting.  Block off the nests, so they have more incentive to use the roost.  Once they get into the habit of using the roost you can open the boxes. 

I don't get better with age, only more confused(ing).

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I don't get better with age, only more confused(ing).

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post #3 of 7
4/19/12 at 2:43am

Why is it important for them to roost?  Is it a healht thing?

1 Blue JG and 1 Black JG, 1 black Americauna, 1 penciled Americauna, 1 Penciled Rock.  1 Cornish chick, 5 Sussex, 8 mix chicks, and one wild kitty!  

 

10 meaties on the way, 2 red layers and 10 in the incubator.  Chicken Math strikes again! 

 

The Rooster may crow, but it is the Hen that delivers the goods! 

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1 Blue JG and 1 Black JG, 1 black Americauna, 1 penciled Americauna, 1 Penciled Rock.  1 Cornish chick, 5 Sussex, 8 mix chicks, and one wild kitty!  

 

10 meaties on the way, 2 red layers and 10 in the incubator.  Chicken Math strikes again! 

 

The Rooster may crow, but it is the Hen that delivers the goods! 

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post #4 of 7
4/19/12 at 4:35am

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Reurra View Post

Why is it important for them to roost?  Is it a healht thing?

 

 Yes, in a way.  They will put out a lot of poop overnight.  If that happens in the box, then eggs will be covered with poop unless you clean them out early each morning.

-Pete

 

Chemist + Chickens --> Chicken Nerd

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-Pete

 

Chemist + Chickens --> Chicken Nerd

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post #5 of 7
4/19/12 at 4:41am
Mine did this too but they grew out of it mostly. It still happens sometimes but its a ton better. And the roost on the poles now.
Hi, Im Rebecca Im a Homeschooled, Christian girl that loves chickens!! I am a vet volunteer and I owner of 9 chickens. If you have any questions about Coccidiosis, Mites & Lice, Worms, Molting, Vent Gleet, Bumble Foot, Egg Binding, or Prolapsed Oviduct, feel free to ask me about it or pm me.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/mites-lice-treatment-and-prevention
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/ch...
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Hi, Im Rebecca Im a Homeschooled, Christian girl that loves chickens!! I am a vet volunteer and I owner of 9 chickens. If you have any questions about Coccidiosis, Mites & Lice, Worms, Molting, Vent Gleet, Bumble Foot, Egg Binding, or Prolapsed Oviduct, feel free to ask me about it or pm me.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/mites-lice-treatment-and-prevention
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/ch...
Reply
post #6 of 7
4/19/12 at 6:31am

Mine went through the same thing, until I blocked the nest boxes off and placed all of them onto the roosts in the evenings for two consecutive nights.  Now, everyone roosts fine except for my BR....who INSISTS on working her way to the TOP of the coop (despite clipping her wings and the peak being narrow and sharp).  So we still have to go out and throw her inside every night, but everyone else figured it out and no one sleeps in the nest boxes any more.
 

A Mixed 6-Chicken Flock

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A Mixed 6-Chicken Flock

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post #7 of 7
4/19/12 at 5:10pm

I had the same problem and have just learned that chickens feet do not have a gripping action that allows them to clutch onto narrow round dowling type roosts.  They need a fairly wide flat surface to the roost about 70 to 100mm maybe 3 or 4 inches.  I changed my roosts and immediatly my hens began to roost by themselves.  Hope this helps.

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