chickens pooping in nest boxes

[gallinamama]

Those nesting boxes in the picture were there over a month when that picture was taken... They did not go near them until I stuck that stupid rock in there.... stupid stupid...

 

[gallinamama]

Well since I don't have a saw or anything to work with... (the person being who I am) I jimmied up some blocks and a 2 x 4 that was a bit shorter and made a temporary roost. I took the chicken wire that I had... and nailed it to the boxes with some large staples... this is so they won't be able to get into the nests... hopefully I will be able to make proper ones soon... I want to thank you all for helping me...

 

[flowerfaerie1]

I wouldn't be too hard on yourself. We got chickens for the first time in March of this year. It's been a learning process! Now you'll just know what to do for next time. I'm sure once the polls are up, the chickens will want to move to the higher ground.

 

[GA_in_GA]

My pullets have started putting themselves to bed, but in their nesting boxes!

I thought this was 'cute' until I found poop in the nests each morning this week. I had placed egg-shaped rocks in the nests, since one of the girls is looking very ready color-wise, though no squats yet. Until then, they had completely ignored the nest boxes and had been roosting. Note - I have a mini-coop and the 2 roosts are nearly level with the two nest boxes. (photo on my page)

So - do I change the bed time ritual and if so, how do I do this? I really want eggs and not poop in those nest boxes!

Help, please!?!

 

[ChickenPeep]

Hahaha! I dont know the answer but i thought id say thet the chicken coming in looks like its saying " well, spacious, 7 nesting boxes, nice walls, water, good bedding, but no roosts!" LOL

 

[JodyJo]

beautiful boxes, BTW....I would block them off as well...they will roost at the highest point, so if you don't have any roosts yet, the boxes are where they will go. If you place flat boards on top, they will sleep and poop on that. I have a slanted roof over my boxes...they can't stand on it, so they must roost.

How many chickens do you have? You have quite a few boxes. I have 16 pullets, and really they will only use 3 of them...they all seem to prefer the same few...I have about 6 in total though...

Good luck, get the roosts up, slant a roof over the boxes, and block them off, you should solve the issues.

 

[JodyJo]

Quote:

here is a shot of my roost...I used Aspen tree branches, tied the ends together with a screw or two to hold them tight..they love them!