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Sacrificial chicken

post #1 of 8
4/22/12 at 1:22pm
Thread Starter 
I am completely new to chicken keeping. Got them yesterday. I have been reading books and mags for months and getting prepared but now I have them and I feel totally unprepared. After worrying they aren't eating I am now worried that my swish house I've bought for them is no good because they are all framing themselves into the nesting boxes and not sitting on the nice little perches. Can I block off the nest boxes at night or will they explode with un-laid eggs. Is this just coz they are unsettled? Should I raise the perches some how and send a snotty email to the supplier telling them there house are not Made correctly. It is one with a nest box on the side. Please advise.
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post #2 of 8
4/22/12 at 1:32pm

How old are your chickens?  If they aren't laying eggs yet they shouldn't be able to get in the nesting boxes.  And WELCOME!!

We have a dozen different breeds of chickens and we love them all!

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We have a dozen different breeds of chickens and we love them all!

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post #3 of 8
4/22/12 at 2:03pm
Thread Starter 
Oh really! They are point of lay. The chap from the suppliers said they should begin laying in 3 weeks, so I had better block off the nest boxes?
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post #4 of 8
4/22/12 at 2:25pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for welcome and advice.
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post #5 of 8
4/22/12 at 4:31pm

If they are point of lay they should have access to the nest boxes during the day.  Block them before roosting time and unblock them in the morning.  If the perches are lower then the nest boxes move them higher then the boxes if you can.  They like to roost high. 

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 #6 of 8
4/22/12 at 11:07pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you very much for you advice. We will do that.
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post #7 of 8
4/23/12 at 5:17am

If the roosts are lower than the nest boxes, raise them.  Chickens generally like to roost at the highest point possible.  If you block off the nest boxes, your chickens will not 'explode'.  lol.png  They will simply find another spot to lay.

Friends are the family you make for yourself.
There are no coincidences- only providences.
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Friends are the family you make for yourself.
There are no coincidences- only providences.
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post #8 of 8
4/23/12 at 5:42am

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by sourland View Post

If the roosts are lower than the nest boxes, raise them.  Chickens generally like to roost at the highest point possible.  If you block off the nest boxes, your chickens will not 'explode'.  lol.png  They will simply find another spot to lay.

 

  Exactly. I would block off the nest till I knew they were laying. My roost are at three different levels. The older one go to the top roost. The younger one get on the second one. They aren't allowed on the top yet. smile.png

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