Chickens sleep in nesting boxes

[Savyjoy]

We have four chickens about the age to start laying. They have typically been sleeping on a perch in the coop
But the last
Month they have decided to sleep upstairs in their nesting boxes. Is this a typical thing for birds about to lay?
I’m wondering if we should try to have them sleep elsewhere and if so if that’s okay?

 

[featheredplanets]

Unless you want poopy eggs I’d break the habit now. Block the nest boxes on a night and open them in a morning. I read a lot of threads on here, not come across sleeping in nest boxes being nesting behaviour so I assume it isn’t, I just know it can be an issue when they do actually start laying.

 

[Savyjoy]

Unless you want poopy eggs I’d break the habit now. Block the nest boxes on a night and open them in a morning. I read a lot of threads on here, not come across sleeping in nest boxes being nesting behaviour so I assume it isn’t, I just know it can be an issue when they do actually start laying.

Thanks for the advice! We have been wondering about it being an issue when they do start laying! Thanks again!

 

[getaclue]

Nesting boxes should be slightly lower than the roosts. When you said "upstairs in their nesting boxes" it indicates to me that their roosts are lower than their nesting boxes. Other reasons for this behavior can include that they're nearing point of lay, and are getting comfortable with the nesting boxes. It could be that they're warmer in the nesting boxes, too.

 

[Henry&Friends]

My pullets also are trying to sleep in the boxes, I just pull them out and stick them next to a bird who won’t chase them off the perch. All of the eggs I got this morning were completely coated in poop, and I grabbed them with my bare hands

always look before you touch

 

[Cluckingitup]

I got my nephews coop with 2 chickens 2+ years old. Since I got them, they have slept in their nesting boxes. I have to clean the poop each day or the eggs do get dirty. It's just the 2 that do this, so I don't mind. The other issue I have seen in addition to dirty eggs, is that sometimes the poo gets stuck on their feathers in that area and they will pick at them.

 

[ChickenChimp]

Hi Savyjoy!
One of the main reasons why you should curb this habit is due to the mess (poop) they cause but also in some breeds its not good for there legs to sleep like this. There are a few reasons as to why your chickens could be doing this;

1. Nesting Box Height make sure you nesting box isn't higher than the roosting bars as normal chickens will aim to roost at the highest pint in the coop
2. Roosting Bar Height- are the bars quite high for your type of chickens? I have Bantams and 'Pepsi' one of the chickens is quite small and struggles to get on the bars. So she regularly sleeps in one of the nesting boxes
3. Mites - sometimes chickens might opt for a nest box instead of the roost is that your coop has mites. Mite will hide out of sight during the day in cracks and crevices, such as at the end of roosting bars where they meet the wall. Check for mites by lifting out your roost bars during the daytime and looking at the ends. Its probably not the reason but its always worth checking especially in the colder months.
4. weather- If you live in a colder climate chickens sometimes chickens snuggle together in the nesting boxes to keep warm.
5. Injury- If all your hens are doing this then its doubtful its an injury but its worth mentioning keep a close eye on cuts, infection, bumblefoot, splinters, frostbite etc
Because they are young it wont be age as some older hens struggle to get up on the bars

Hope these help, I'm no expert but these are things ive experienced there are probably many more reasons

Good Luck

 

[aart]

They have typically been sleeping on a perch in the coop

Is this your coop and run?
'Coop' is the upper enclosed space, 'run' is all the rest.
You may want to look at this prefab mod:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ng-in-nest-boxes.1134399/page-2#post-17749535

It could be that they're warmer in the nesting boxes, too.

My thought too.

@Savyjoy .....
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[leslielbk]

It isn't lethal for them to sleep in the nesting boxes, just gross and unsanitary. They poop all night and that will go right into the nice place you made especially for them to lay eggs...clean ones, preferably. They will lay anywhere but like a clean nesting box and I've found they shun the boxes with the poop.
I had to construct a curtain from old vinyl window screen material and drop it down late afternoon and roll it up after dark when I lock up. When I've forgotten they've forced their way in to lay!
I've concluded there's something wrong with my roosting pole setup now that they are fully grown so I'm going to add a pole higher up with the hope those girls who like to sleep in the nesting boxes will choose that instead. But I'm going to have to block off the nesting boxes at night for quite a while, I'm afraid.