Chickens sleeping in the nesting boxes

[Brahmachicken240]

If you look closely you'll see why I disagree with you.


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There’s many websites stating that.

this website for example
https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/chicken-roost/

Roosting perches should be around 1.5 – 3 feet high depending on your flock. ... Unlike most wild birds and smaller cage birds, hens sleep with their feet flat.

 

[Ridgerunner]

4" is not a lot higher, especially if it is some horizontal distance away. You might try raising at least one of those roosts if you can. How much depends somewhat your layout.

I still don't know how old they are or if they are laying so I'll "speculate" and "what if" some. It sure sounds like they were in the habit of sleeping in that area and there was not enough of a height difference to change that habit.

If they are laying I see some possible approaches. If the coop is really dark at night, you can move them to the roosts after dark and see if they get the message. Hopefully it is too dark for them to move back to the nests. They might get the message after one time, it might take a while before they catch on and start going to bed there but they should before too long if you are consistent.

If it is not that dark in there at night block the nests after you move them to the roosts. Another option is to just block the nests after they have finished laying for the day and see where they decide to roost. In either case since they sometimes lay first think in the morning you will need to be out there at the crack or dawn to open the nests so you don't teach them to lay somewhere else.

If they are still pretty young and not laying you can certainly block the nests now and leave them blocked to see where they sleep. Since they were roosting before, they probably are a bit older. In any case I'd want the nests open by the time they are 16 weeks old, which is the earliest I've had any lay so you don't teach them to lay somewhere else.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Climate always has a say in how we need to manage. If freezing temps are rare, roosts may be different than where it freezes for months.

 

[FnWeirdo]

hate to say it but you might just need to block it off (i know you dont want to go that route) i had this issue used a piece of cardboard to block them off in the afternoon/night got up early to pull it out after a few days the roost habit was programmed and now im good

 

[GoProChickens]

How long might it take blocking the nesting boxes?

 

[Ridgerunner]

It could take a day or two, it could take a week or two. With living animals you don't get guarantees on behaviors. Try it a couple of days and see where they sleep. If you are OK with where they are sleeping open the nests back up and see what happens. If it doesn't work try it a little longer.

 

[GoProChickens]

Ok I'll give it a try!

 

[rosemarythyme]

https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/chicken-roost/

Unlike most wild birds and smaller cage birds, hens sleep with their feet flat.

"Feet flat" doesn't mean the roost has to be flat. Even in that article she shows her roost - a tree branch - and says "you can use tree branches. You will need to ensure the wood is sturdy, without sharp points and strong enough to hold several hens."

So yes you'll find that chickens have no issue gripping onto branches if that's what's available for a roost bar. Exceptions would be breeds like Silkies which may not roost at all, or birds with foot issues.

 

[Brahmachicken240]

"Feet flat" doesn't mean the roost has to be flat. Even in that article she shows her roost - a tree branch - and says "you can use tree branches. You will need to ensure the wood is sturdy, without sharp points and strong enough to hold several hens."

So yes you'll find that chickens have no issue gripping onto branches if that's what's available for a roost bar. Exceptions would be breeds like Silkies which may not roost at all, or birds with foot issues.

Article didn’t say what type of birds they had. They could of had bantams,which in that case would be able to roost with flat feet on that large branch.

Never said “the roost has to be flat”
I said that the roost has to be large enough for them to sit with flat feet. As chickens prefer to sit on roosts with flat feet. This also prevents them from getting frost bite as they are able to cover their feet with their bodies.

 

[imnukensc]

Chickens can cover their feet just fine on a round roost---even if it's a steering wheel. You learn something new every day.