Chickens sleeping in Nestboxes

[chickadee2]

Some of our 11 week old EE, BR, PR, BL are sleeping and pooping in their nestboxes. The nestbox is lower than the top roost (which all do get on).
Any suggestions? They are not laying yet, but even cleaning it everyday, it would not be a good place to lay. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[griffin45]

Yep, I ended up making removable nest boxes to avoid this and only keep enough in the coop to for the chickens that are laying.

 

[patandchickens]

You can just close the nestboxes off temporarily (either put something big in 'em, or staple some cardboard etc over the openings) to get them out of the habit, til they're closer to laying age.

Ideally nestboxes ought to be noticeably lower than ALL roosts, not just the highest, so you might want to think about whether this can be adjusted, also whether your roosts could maybe be wider or whether maybe there's a draft there. In case.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[sundance]

mine do it all the time so I have thrown in the flag and let them roost where they want, they lay under the nests, and I have no problem as long as they lay. marrie

 

[hatchaholic]

I caught my banty cochin roo sleeping in a nestbox this afternoon!! Silly chicken!

I guess that's one way to stay warm...

 

[chickadee2]

Thanks for all the help. I have temporarily blocked the nestboxes as it seems like it would be easier to change their habits now. Our 2 nestboxes Open to the outside, so I do want them to eventually lay them. They are so much fun.

 

[chickadee2]

Really enjoyed Patandchickens web page. It is interesting and fun to read.

The ventilation needs are amazing. Suggest she might try"shingles" from cut up old tires for the roof of her tractor if the shower curtain fails.

 

[miron28]

i had the same problem. found out that they are too big so i made some smaller and now i don't have that problem

 

[chickadee2]

Would it be convenient to send the current measurements that are successful? I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks

 

[HorseFeathers]

We had this problem with a pullet that was particularly picked on. We just booted her out of them every time we caught her in them and eventually she got the message.