Chicks are 8 weeks old tomorrow - was wondering about blocking off the nesting boxes?

[bayareapilot]

Hard part, since it has been almost 10 years since my adult hens were chicks - is remembering what I did before?

Here's my question: currently the nesting boxes are open and the chicks basically use it as a place to sleep. Naturally, the latter leads to regular pine shaving replacement to keep it clean. The roosting part of my coop which is right next to the nesting boxes has a sliding cleaning tray which makes cleaning up under the roosting bars a lot easier

In my vague recollection I *think* I allowed my 9+ old hens (when they were chicks) access to the nesting boxes and then at some point they preferred to roost. Not sure if the rememberance is correct?

Anyway, should I just leave the nesting boxes open for now or should I temporarily close them off to encourage the chicks to use the roosting bars instead (where it is more convienient for me to clean)?

 

[nchls school]

I noticed last week that my Yokohama hen was taking her 3 week old chicks to the roost instead of a nest box at night. Since you don't have to worry about severe cold it should be safe to block off the nest boxes to encourage the 2 month old chicks to roost. You might have to put them on the roost for a couple nights to get them used to sleeping there.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would block off the nest boxes but I'm also more insistent about them learning to roost. At 8 weeks old they're well old enough to be using the roost consistently.

 

[aart]

I would block off the nest boxes but I'm also more insistent about them learning to roost. At 8 weeks old they're well old enough to be using the roost consistently.

Ditto Dat!^^^

Do you still have those old birds....or birds other than these 8wo's?
If no other birds, block off the nests until they are regularly sleeping on roosts.

I have older birds so I rigged a hinged cover for nests to dissuade chicks from using nests to sleep...I also have plenty of other roosts for them to use until they get up the guts to roost with the big birds.
Close it up an hour or so before roosting time:


Open back up when I lock up after dark: