block nesting boxes at night?

[gram28]

I just got 3 banty orphie pullets a week ago and they have taken to roosting in the nesting boxes at night. I was wondering if I could block the entrance to the boxes at night so they will roost on the roosts. I have 3 standard pulets that never lay at night so the boxes are not really in use then. Kind of a behavior mod thing!

 

[ghillie]

I have had the same problem off and on. We have 2 nest boxes that I found two boxes that fit into them. Just before dark we put the cardboard boxes into the nest boxes and take them out in the morning. Works great.

 

[Uppity Peon]

That's what I woutd do. Once they get used to using the roost you can stop blocking the nestboxes.

 

[rhoda_bruce]

Thats what I have taken to doing to convince my araucanas to go to the roost. Last night was the first time I tried and only 5 birds figured a weakness in my system. I am about to lock them in for the night and hopefully all my birds are in the roost. Actually after I lock them up, I remove the wire I have blocking, just in case a hen wants to give me a real early egg.