Chickens don't seem to like the roosts and sleep in egg boxes

[Egghead_Jr]

You really want to curb the habit of sleeping in the nest boxes. When you close the coop at night put empty feed bags in each nest so they can't be slept in. It's a hassle now that you've some birds laying as you have to remove at least one bag each morning and replace it at night. The nests are a natural safe place to be and that's what the birds want, blocking them off before lay will force the birds to the roosts and get them in the habit of that then you can unblock the nests before they start laying. Last thing you want is poo in the nest boxes mucking up your eggs. You must curb that habit asap.

 

[barred2rock]

Do they know how to roost? Perhaps they need a intermediate perch to get to the higher one.

Edited: just noticed in the pic there are two perches side by side. Perches should be at least 18" apart and usually at different levels. I'd remove the perch closest to the wall if your setup is the same as pictured.

 

[debid]

The branch might be too thick or too thin. And if it's at all wobbly they won't go on the roost. Another possibility is that there is a draft coming through where the roost is but not at the nest boxes. It's good advice to keep putting them on there but if they refuse to stay after a few days it's important to find out why.

That's what I'm wondering. I'd like to see the actual roost setup, not something similar. I've never had a chick fail to go to the roost and they've all gone long before POL. The fact that they were roosting in the brooder but aren't now leads me to believe they aren't happy with something about the roost they have now.

I've had mine decline to use a branch they found too slippery (crepe myrtle) and they definitely have a size range they'd prefer. A 1.5-2" diameter seems to be about right. The photo isn't yours but that's about 3-3.5". Too wide, IMHO.

 

[barred2rock]

That's what I'm wondering. I'd like to see the actual roost setup, not something similar. I've never had a chick fail to go to the roost and they've all gone long before POL. The fact that they were roosting in the brooder but aren't now leads me to believe they aren't happy with something about the roost they have now.

I've had mine decline to use a branch they found too slippery (crepe myrtle) and they definitely have a size range they'd prefer. A 1.5-2" diameter seems to be about right. The photo isn't yours but that's about 3-3.5". Too wide, IMHO.

My girls seem to prefer the thicker perches, theirs is even thicker than pictured. But maybe my girls are just weird like that.

 

[carlos_zaragoza]

The branch might be too thick or too thin. And if it's at all wobbly they won't go on the roost. Another possibility is that there is a draft coming through where the roost is but not at the nest boxes. It's good advice to keep putting them on there but if they refuse to stay after a few days it's important to find out why.

Thanks Jed. I have actually replaced the branches with some 2 x 2 (I just ripped a 2x4 with a skill saw). It is less wobbly now. I wonder about the draft issue. I have a vent up there and have been leaving a window open in summer but maybe since it's cooling off I should shut it.

 

[JedJackson]

Thanks Jed. I have actually replaced the branches with some 2 x 2 (I just ripped a 2x4 with a skill saw). It is less wobbly now. I wonder about the draft issue. I have a vent up there and have been leaving a window open in summer but maybe since it's cooling off I should shut it.

Through trial and error you'll figure it out. If possible, you might want to try rounding off the edges of the 2 x 2s so they can grip them better when they roost.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

I have a vent up there and have been leaving a window open in summer but maybe since it's cooling off I should shut it.

They need ventilation all winter long, the circle shown are not adequate.

What is your climate?
Putting your location in your profile can really help garner viable answers/suggestions.

Would also like to see pics of actual coop.
Coop appears to be about 4x6?
Tight quarters for 8 birds, especially in a cold climate.

Roost is 16" off floor, but how close is roof to roost??
Looks less than 16", that could be an issue.

Covering nests and hour or so before roost time,
then uncovering when I lock up after dark works for me.
I made a permanent hinged cover for ease of use, it's delightful.

 

[RNPAULIE69]

We have a 2x4 with the 4 inch flat side and my girls prefer that to round roost

 

[lazy gardener]

Also would like to see pic of interior of coop. If it's the avatar pic shown of a coop, the issue could very well be that the roosts are too close to the ceiling, or too close to the back wall.

Agreed, nests need to be blocked off at night, and either opened back up after dark, or opened up early morning. Nest sleeping is a nasty habit. I still have pullets that try to sleep in the nests, new layers, and now a gal or two who think they want to be broody. AAUGH!!!

Also agreed, the pic of representative coop is seriously lacking in ventilation. An other sticky wicket for the short coops.

My birds have 2 x 4's for roosts, placed with 3.5" side on top.

 

[Verl]

I've done that but maybe not late enough (they are still wide awake). The design of my coop doesn't make it really easy to put 8 hens up on the roosts. I've tried to put 4 up there thinking the others will clue in. I am sure they will get it. They are still teenagers I guess.

Another thing ours decided they did not like, is the round branches we put up for roosting. They prefer the flat board truss way up that is actually to hold the roof up!
Do you have round or flat roosts? Maybe that is part of it?