Hens sleep in one nesting box!

[tayfee]

I have 6 hens, and I've noticed that they all sleep on top of one another. No big deal... until 2 of the girls started laying. I put the nesting boxes in and now all 6 of the silly creatures pile in one nesting box! How do I stop them from sleeping in the nesting box? It's full of poo everyday! I live in southern VA, so it's not like it's cold at night.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

You could cover the box at night, and then open it back up for them in the morning. I have 12 nesting holes, and new chicks ALWAYS try to sleep in them. So I physically remove them from the nesting boxes and place them on the roost. Every night until they start going up on their own. Sometimes it takes a few days, sometimes a few weeks. Good luck!