A roosting perch above nesting box??

[rugerham]

I'm very new to this and so am reading as much as I can about how to get my chickens to be happy, healthy, and laying efficiently. I've had them 6 full days now.

I read a thread that said that I should have a perch above the nesting box and that the chickens would sit on the perch and lay an egg in to the nesting box. Is this true? Though I'm a chicken newbie, all my life I thought chickens actually "sat" in the box to lay eggs. All the pictures I've seen on this site so far don't seem to show a perch above the nesting box. What advice can y'all give me?? Thanks!

 

[nurseshelly]

Quote:
Mine love their roost / perch ... but lay eggs in the nest box. The problem is when they want to sleep in the nest box and I have to pull all of them (7) out of one box in the evening.

 

[chicmom]

I would say no to that......If they can roost (perch) above the nesting box, then they will also poop in the nesting box, which makes dirty eggs.......

 

[rugerham]

Quote:
Mine seem to do that a lot too. I figure I could go down there right now and push them out of the box and they'd just jump back in there when I walk back to the house.

 

[Player Hater]

it would be ok if the nest box were covered, and then you'd want a poo board above that

you probably don't want them laying into the boxes while sitting on a perch

you'll get broken eggs, egg eating, and poopy eggs, from them roosting above the eggs

no good

 

[domino7]

My roosts are right above my nest boxes. I like it, and have no problem. I just scrape the poo into a bucket. My nest boxes are covered.

 

[fshinggrl]

Chickens would prefer to roost vs lay in a nest at night it seems. On occasion I'd find one sleeping in the box, but for the most part, if the roosts are higher than the nest boxes, they will generally go up there.

 

[rugerham]

Here is an exterior view of the nesting box. (click picture for larger image) As you can see, it is attached to the exterior of the coop and so they seem to like to hide in it.




Here is a picture of them running in to the nesting box when they are disturbed: (click picture for larger image)

You can see two of the roosts, both of which are higher than the box.

 

[wewokaman]

I am so totally confused, lol. Can I just build a perch and build the nest elsewhere away from perch with access to them getting to the nest?
Johnathan (Kansas)

 

[farmin4fun]

Chickens are vulnerable at night as they have very poor night vision so they feel safe when they can roost high. They naturally tend to roost in the highest place they can get to. It's instinct for them.

I believe what you may have heard is someone saing that you should put your roosts "higher" than your nests. (rather than above) If your nests are higher than your roosts or even the same height, then your chickens will try to roost in the nests. This can cause issues which I believe have already been mentioned.

I would make sure your roosts are higher than your nests and your chickens will start to roost in the proper place in time. It may take a couple days for your chickens to change their routine, but it should happen fairly quickly.

Best of luck!!!