A coop grows in a NYC suburb

[aart]

What can be done here so chickens aren't sleeping in the boxes?

Block access to the nests until they learn to roost.

 

[tralfaz]

I'm going to need to observe where they are roosting. Can probably tell by where poop build up is greatest. Can I assume by moving the roosting bars away that it will also help? What about dropping the bars lower?

 

[aart]

What about dropping the bars lower?

Roosts should be higher than nests....but looks like coop already has height issues.
Any way to 'raise the roof'.....think about it, seriously.
How many birds and how old are they?
Here's some tips on heights:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/

 

[rosemarythyme]

Do chickens care how high they are off the floor?

x2 on blocking off nests for now, but you may be battling them on that issue because the roosts can't be moved up. Chickens don't really care that much about the actual height of roosts, but their instincts tell them that higher is safer, so that's why they'll choose nest boxes if they're high as/higher than roost bars.

 

[tralfaz]

Roosts should be higher than nests....but looks like coop already has height issues.
Any way to 'raise the roof'.....think about it, seriously.
How many birds and how old are they?
Here's some tips on heights:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/

6 birds. RI reds ranging in 8-5 months

 

[tralfaz]

How high from the roof can I put the roosts? Right now they are about 2 feet from the top

 

[rosemarythyme]

I think at a bare minimum they need like 12" above the roost to use it, but it may be a little tough to get on there. Something like 16" might be more realistic. I know sometimes it can be tough trying to position something with limited space, so you might need to keep adjusting it.

 

[tralfaz]

I put large 4x4s in the nests last night to discourage them from sleeping in them. But to my dismay this morning found lots of poop on the edge of the boxes. I have small a roost level with the boxes to help them hop into the 16" high nests, but they are likely sleeping on them at night. Do you think these are needed? If so, can I move them lower so no longer level with the boxes where they can poop in them? Will also look at options to have the roosts 6 inches higher this weekend, if that doesn't work will look into lowering the nests, as raising the roof isn't an option due to the adjacent shed roof line.

 

[aart]

I would move nests lower and/or fully cover opening of nests with a board or piece of cardboard.