Help them roost.....

[Batty about Banties]

My 11 wk old chicks are in the coop but they are sleeping in the nest box which causes a problem because I would like to leave the eggs in the nest to hopefully urge one of my bantys to go broody but my chicks aren't very observant or gentle so I need some advice to try and get them to sleep on the roosts........

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Are the roosts higher than the nest boxes? They will generally roost at the higher place. If the roost is already higher, you might try going in after dark and placing them on the roost for a few nights.

 

[Katydid2011]

Yay Chicks! :

Are the roosts higher than the nest boxes? They will generally roost at the higher place. If the roost is already higher, you might try going in after dark and placing them on the roost for a few nights.

X2!​

 

[jynnjynn]

Yay Chicks! :

Are the roosts higher than the nest boxes? They will generally roost at the higher place. If the roost is already higher, you might try going in after dark and placing them on the roost for a few nights.

I tried this with a few of mine that wouldn't roost and found that every-time I tried to balance a groggy chicken on the roost it promptly fell off, rather ungracefully

 

[Judy]

It's unlikely leaving eggs will cause the banty to go broody. It's a hormone thing. And, golf balls would work as well. I bought mine at the local dollar store -- don't remember what they cost but I spent very little for a box of 4 or 6. Should be able to get plastic Easter Eggs right now, too, and they also work, though you might want to fill them with sand or something to weight them down.

 

[jjdward]

I have tried to put chickens on the proper roost and I've had mixed results. And like ddawn said, not much is going to cause a hen to go broody. Mother nature nature is tricky that way!!! lol
Good luck cause I know how much of a pain it can be when they roost in a nest box!!!!

 

[Batty about Banties]

Ok so I will try replacing the real eggs for fake ones....does size matter? They are bantams. Could I get a regular sized egg? I am wondering if I don't have enough roost space. Add that on my project list for today!

 

[mariel37]

Quote:
I tried this with a few of mine that wouldn't roost and found that every-time I tried to balance a groggy chicken on the roost it promptly fell off, rather ungracefully

Okay ... forgive me fellow BYC'rs for I have sinned.

I laughed out loud at the groggy chicken promptly falling off statement. Lord, I apologize ...