G'day from Down Under.

[Dave1979m]

Hi all, just introducing myself and my 6 new backyard chickens all the way from Australia. Found this site on Google and there seems to be a lot of knowledge here that will help me look after the new additions to my family. The chickens are almost 15 weeks old and are really addictive to watch. I have 3 Rhode Island Reds X with New Hamshire and 3 Australorps X New Hamshire. I have had them for on 5 days and they are eating and drinking well. Already they know where to sleep (albeit in the nesting boxes. But at least they know to go in the coop)
My first question is should I remove the nesting boxes to stop the sleeping in the nests or just let them rule the roost how they please? Any information is welcome.
Hope to hear soon. Thank you in advance.

 

[silky_3699]

let me be the first to say

from central queensland australia

 

[teach1rusl]

from the state of Indiana in the US! Glad you found us

Personally, I'd just cover the nestboxes with cardboard or wire for about two weeks, to keep them out until they get use to sleeping on their roost. I always like my birds having an opportunity to "explore" their nest boxes before they've begun laying, to put the idea in their heads (hopefully...lol). If you have a wooden or plastic egg, or golf balls, you might put one in each nest box to give them the right idea.

 

[3goodeggs]

Welcome! There are quite a few ozzies here. I am sure you will meet some.
The standard practice is to keep them from sleeping in the nest boxes. Once they start laying eggs, you are not going to want them to be pooing in there, and they seem to poo a lot when they roost.
Have a G'day yourself, but I do believe you should be sleeping 'bout now. so g'night

 

[brokenspoke]

Hello, and welcome

 

[Ozchicken]

Hi there.

 

[Amigo]

 

[greymane]

from the Finger Lakes of New York! So glad to have you with us.

 

[texasgal]

A big Texas-sized

 

[redsoxs]

Howdy, Dave, and

. Have fun and enjoy your birds!