Hens keep pooping in nest boxes

[poultryman84]

Hey guys,
I've got close to 60 hens. Some are were born March 3 and are laying. Some were born 3/31 some of those are lying. And some were born 5/6 and not laying. My problem is that some are pooping n the nest boxes.

What could I do to help with this problem? It seem like more of an issue on the top row of boxes. My lowest roost is about the same height as the lowest roost. But there is 72 foot of roost that is higher than the nest box. Please help!

 

[poultryman84]

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm not sure if you have enough roost options for three different groups of chickens and that number of birds, I think you need to add way more roost options, they don't all like being next to each other.

 

[poultryman84]

Red are the existing roost. If I add a couple where the green line is do you think that would help?
Also there run is 24x 50 and there are some roosts out there as well... Not that that helps for night time

 

[poultryman84]

They also roost on the board holding the feeders. I made these covers to keep poop out of the feed

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The more the better, the higher the better, mine are all over the place, some have taken to roosting 20 feet up in the rafters, yours apparently like your rafters too, they probably won't roost outside. Your original roosts I would bet that not too many roost on the bottom rungs, usually only the top roost is used, the others are just for climbing. So just start adding roosts, Hopefully sleeping in the nestboxes hasn't become a bad habit. Chickens are goofy.

 

[Bonz]

Make sure your roosts are higher than your laying boxes. My boxes have a old blanket with slits in it so nice and dark for the hens to lay their eggs. Keeps out the others who are just curious about what's going on. If there is some aggression on the perches at night the lesser birds will find spots to avoid getting picked on, which will include your best boxes.

 

[aart]

Red are the existing roost. If I add a couple where the green line is do you think that would help?
Also there run is 24x 50 and there are some roosts out there as well... Not that that helps for night time

Yes, probably.
I'm betting that it's the younger ones that are in the nests at night?

I found that covering the nest boxes at dusk, then uncovering after dark is the simplest way to keep them out of there.
Might be tricky with your setup to make it easy to use...how handy are you?
You'll only have to do it for a few weeks as once they get the habit of sleeping on a roost they'll most likely keep it.

 

[Bonz]

Another good tip, is to put roosts in brooder box when there a few weeks old. But with 60 birds your gonna have some rebels, I have one who insists on sleeping on old flower pot. I moved it into coop, she's a nut.

 

[poultryman84]

I'm going to add a few more roosts. May add a couple more up high close to the roof like the one the feed is hanging from. If that does not work I'll start blocking off the boxes at night.