Brooder next to Pen

[mschicklady]

Just a quick question. I put my brooder pen on the outside of my open air pen with a window facing in the pen so the bigger birds can see the younger ones. I've heard it helps with the introducing process. Well anyway, I have noticed that all of my older chicks will lay next to the window where the light shines through at night instead of going in the hen house. They still aren't old enough to lay yet and they do go in the nest boxes from time to time, I'm just wondering if this may cause a problem in the future when they do start laying? Really appreciate any feedback! Thanks!!

 

[chad-o]

You might consider some training eggs in your nesting boxes. Check out this link.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321369972449?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

 

[Tuhmu]

How old are the chicks?

 

[aart]

Make sure your roosts are higher than your nests.
Block off the nests until they are laying age.
Fake eggs good idea for when they get close to laying.
Make sure each night they go to the roost, put them on it after dark if necessary, takes awhile for them to get the habit.

 

[mschicklady]

The oldest ones are about 2 1/2 to 3 months old. After I posted this, last night I noticed they were all in the best boxes with the exception of the 5 month and half olds. So hopefully they have gotten the hang of it and the smaller ones will learn from them. Thanks you all so much. Btw yes all my roosts are higher than the nest boxes.

 

[Tuhmu]

You wont really need to worry about them taking interest in the nest boxes till they are 5-1/2 - 6 months. may be beneficial to block off the nest boxes now so that they don't start sleeping in them (messy nest boxes), they will show much more interest in them when they are closer to laying age. Did you say you are having trouble getting them to go in at night or did I mis-read that?

 

[mschicklady]

Not necessarily but sometimes yes. I have started putting them in after dark if they aren't already so maybe they will get the hang of it