Help!

[dulcipher]

How do I keep my mine from sleeping in nesting box? I've got three, one just started laying. I blocked it off first 5 months, but want them to lay eggs in it. They have roosts, but just want that in there and poop all night.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Take them out and set them on the perch at about eight every night until they stop. Mine got the hint after about a week and a half. Birdbrains.

 

[aart]

Are the roosts higher than the nests?
Have they been sleeping on the roosts until you opened the nests?

Yes, one way is to move them from nest to roost after dark.
I prefer to cover the nests an hour or so before roost time,
then uncover them after dark when I lock up.

 

[Mrs. K]

I have done what Aart suggests, or uncover it in the morning. I have even gone down at near dark, chased them out of the nests, and blocked them. Letting them find the roost.

 

[dulcipher]

The roosts are the same height as the nests. Thanks for the advise!

 

[aart]

If this is still the coop you have:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-brooder-and-coop.1170986/#post-18423635

Then you might want to look at this:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134399/help-hens-roosting-in-nest-boxes/10#post_17749535