Chickens sleep (and poop) in nesting boxes, won't roost

[nanmoran]

My chickens were on their perch for a week. Now all of a sudden they are sleeping in the 2 nesting boxes all huddled together.
I had a curtain over the opening. Guess they are smarter than that.
Do you think I should fill it up so they can't get in it? Could it be the water I have in the coop? Are they scared because I didn't close the door in time?
I took the heating lamp out 2 days ago. Any comments?

 

[debid]

My chickens were on their perch for a week. Now all of a sudden they are sleeping in the 2 nesting boxes all huddled together.
I had a curtain over the opening. Guess they are smarter than that.
Do you think I should fill it up so they can't get in it? Could it be the water I have in the coop? Are they scared because I didn't close the door in time?
I took the heating lamp out 2 days ago. Any comments?

I'm confused by your explanation. You left the door open and the coop is full of water??? You had a heat lamp but now you don't? Are these young chicks?

 

[nanmoran]

Chicks are 8 weeks old.
I put them outside about a week or so ago in their coop.
When it is dark they all go in the coop on their own and I close the door.
They sleep on their perch (or did).
I researched and some people put their food and water in the coop and some don't.
I decided to keep a waterer in the coop for a couple of weeks.
I have food and water outside.
I kept the heat lamp on for a few days but now that it's warmer I took it out.
I have sand in the coop and pine shavings in the nesting boxes with a curtain in front of the nesting box.
Everything was fine and then last night I saw they were all in the nesting boxes.
(They are just too cute)
Should I board up the nesting boxes or just leave them alone?
Also, should I lock them out of the coop in the day? They have a closed in run.

 

[debid]

Which is higher -- the nest box or the perch? Are there windows on the coop or is it rather dark in there without the light? I suspect either they've discovered a higher place to sleep or it's darker without the heat lamp that they can't see well enough to hop to the roost when they finally go inside.

 

[nanmoran]

The perch is higher. There is 1 little window up high about 3x3 inches.
I'll put a little light in there tonight see if that works.
I blocked off the nesting boxes. But It was too dark to see if they were on the perches.
Some people keep a light on all night but I thought it would be more natural without.
Once they are on the perch could I turn off the light?

 

[debid]

Yes, do shut it off once they're up -- you don't want to have to run a light 24/7 when they don't need it anymore. Can you add a window? Doesn't need to be fancy -- cut a hole, cover it with wire, hinge the flap. Prop it open for light/extra ventilation on hot days, close as needed.

 

[AConk81]

When mine were about that age and no longer had a heat lamp going they started huddling together because they had been used to the warmth of the light, so when that was taken away they stopped roosting and huddled to make their own warmth. They just started roosting again now, and they're like 8 months old. I don't think most behave this way...mine are just "special". LOL

 

[debid]

I've seen my hens dawdle too long at times and struggle a bit getting to the roost (they have two big windows but it's still a bit darker inside than out). So, the change in lighting was my first thought. But, I agree that it's possible they are snuggling for warmth and will stop when they get used to the light being gone. My new chicks were eight weeks when they switched from floor to roost so the heat lamp had been gone for a few weeks by then. They also have their whole roof for a window (clear, corrugated roofing on the mini coop) so it's not any darker inside than out.

If a small nightlight doesn't do the trick, then I guess you'll know they just need a bit of snuggle time to wean off the heat.