Girls don't roost...

[chickens really]

They are only 8 weeks old.......No training required......They will mature and start roosting....All young animals cuddle to sleep....By June they will be roosting....


Cheers!

 

[chickens really]

Just a handy tip.....

2x4s are great for roosts...Flat side up....They can lay on them and cover their toes at night.....Block off your nest boxes till they are more mature....Stops any bad habits from starting....

Enjoy those Chickens....


Cheers!

 

[PaulaMc]

Can I ask please - what is the problem with hens sleeping in the nest boxes?

My 3 ex batts have occasionally roosted but generally prefer to sleep in the nest boxes. They had never had the option to roost as were kept in a cage for the first year of their life. Their legs and feet were so weak they probably preferred to sleep sitting down. My 3 miniature silkies generally roost but often cuddle up to the fattie batties in the boxes. There is no routine when night time comes. They will chop and change where they sleep.

I don't see this as a problem but would like to know what everyone else thinks please.

 

[chickens really]

Can I ask please - what is the problem with hens sleeping in the nest boxes?

My 3 ex batts have occasionally roosted but generally prefer to sleep in the nest boxes. They had never had the option to roost as were kept in a cage for the first year of their life. Their legs and feet were so weak they probably preferred to sleep sitting down. My 3 miniature silkies generally roost but often cuddle up to the fattie batties in the boxes. There is no routine when night time comes. They will chop and change where they sleep.

I don't see this as a problem but would like to know what everyone else thinks please.

Not a problem at all if it is okay with you?
Most do not want Hens sleeping in the Boxes because they become full of poop.....


Cheers!

 

[ckelley]

Yeah, it's just a poop issue.

 

[junebuggena]

Can I ask please - what is the problem with hens sleeping in the nest boxes?

My 3 ex batts have occasionally roosted but generally prefer to sleep in the nest boxes. They had never had the option to roost as were kept in a cage for the first year of their life. Their legs and feet were so weak they probably preferred to sleep sitting down. My 3 miniature silkies generally roost but often cuddle up to the fattie batties in the boxes. There is no routine when night time comes. They will chop and change where they sleep.

I don't see this as a problem but would like to know what everyone else thinks please.

Chickens poo quite a lot while they sleep. Hens that sleep in the nest box basically spend the night sleeping in their own poo. That could lead to poo getting embedded in their feathers, putting them at risk for fly-strike. It also means the nests are full of poo come egg laying time, leading to poo covered eggs. For your battery hens, they've never had the chance to learn to roost. You will have to teach them. That means putting them on the roosts each and every night till they are in the habit of roosting.

 

[chickens really]

Yeah, it's just a poop issue.

Cheers!

 

[PaulaMc]

Aaaaww thanks everyone for your comments.

I remove the poop early morning from the nest boxes so they can lay ( if not done already), in clean bedding. I remove all the poop I can see from the coop.

However, can I ask you more experienced keepers a question please? Can sleeping in the nest boxes encourage lice? I alternately dust them with DE and lice powder but have an ex batt-white leghorn- who seems to always have a dirty bottom- no matter what I do. Have bathed her once but thinking of doing it again and keeping her in the house till she dries. it's cold in England at the moment. I could keep her in the kitchen overnight.

Advice really welcome x

 

[PaulaMc]

Chickens poo quite a lot while they sleep. Hens that sleep in the nest box basically spend the night sleeping in their own poo. That could lead to poo getting embedded in their feathers, putting them at risk for fly-strike. It also means the nests are full of poo come egg laying time, leading to poo covered eggs. For your battery hens, they've never had the chance to learn to roost. You will have to teach them. That means putting them on the roosts each and every night till they are in the habit of roosting.

Hi

Does that mean I go out now while it's dark and put them on the perches?

 

[junebuggena]

Yep.