Hens sleeping in nest boxes, need suggestions

[Fuzzbuttfarm]

Imagine my surprise when I went to close up the coop last night, and when I lowered down the side wall that lifts up (put in some chicken wire so that's open for extra ventilation during the day) and saw on the opposite end of the coop my BOs and RIRs stuffed into one nesting box, snoring away.

Now, I hadn't quite put two and two together, noticing poop in that particular box from time to time. When I opened it up this morning ay chihuahua there was a lotta poop.

The BAs roost on a 2x4 that sticks out from the wall just above that particular nesting box. And then there's a roosting bar which everyone plays musical roosts on, when they first go in for the evening. But I didn't know the 14 weekers were sleeping in the box...

I think I'm going to raise the big roost that runs across the middle of the coop. It's higher than the nesting boxes, but lower than the 2x4 that the BAs favor (which isn't even a roost, mind you).

 

[patman75]

I just did a quick check and the BO and SLW are in the nest box. I'm pretty sure these two are not laying eggs yet.

My WL and IB are both on the roost, they are laying eggs now.

I'm really not sure how much I can raise the roost. There in not much vertical room in the top of the A frame. At best I can only hope for maybe 2 inches higher then the nest box. Would that really make any difference?

Will the BO and SLW stop sleeping in the nest box once they start laying?

I noticed that during the day when they went upstairs they all stayed on the roost, it appears only to be a nighttime thing.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[patman75]

GGGGRRRR

I have been blocking the 1 nest box that the hens have been sleeping in. I noticed poop in the other nest box now.

So I added a 2X4 to the roost and elevated the roost an additional 4 inches.

I checked on the girls to see where they were roosting at dusk and 3 of the 4 are in the nest boxes.

I moved them all out and reblocked the nest boxes. I'm not sure how long I have to keep this blocking of the nest boxes every night.

 

[Metanoia]

Probably at least a week.
Consistency is the key, and of course they'll go to another one if you only block one off.
I have one hen who would do this and I've just kept moving her for a week and a half now. Admittedly I now only have to check on her and have to move her maybe once every 3-4 days now. She is almost in the habit of roosting again.

 

[kcfuerst]

I would recommend arranging the roosts at least 10" higher than the nests and for a few nights, maybe 4-8, close the nest so they can't get inside them. In the mornings they will be more than ready to get in the nest to lay eggs and pretty soon they will understand what the nests are for.

 

[chicksalot]

patman...I am watching your post, as I have the same problem with my girls. some will roost (roosts are higher than the nestbox openings) but some will also cram themselves into the cubbies. Because they were younger, I let them sleep in there, thinking it was mean to cover the openings & felt sorry for them. well, now I will have the same poo mess on my future eggs too,

yuck!

 

[patman75]

I think all my changes worked.

I got home very late and went outside to collect the eggs and see if my girls were sleeping in the nest boxes since I did not have a chance to block them.

And there were No hens in the nest boxes!

I did notice a little poo in one but that could of happened earlier in the day.

So just a little over 2 weeks of blocking nest boxes with an elevated higher roost, 3 of the 4 are now laying. I just need the BO to get with the program and all will be just grande.

 

[maplesky7]

I've noticed with some of my young ones that when it gets dark it's almost as if they don't know where to go. Now they have learned to put themselves in before dusk.

I had a bug zapper plugged in the coop that gave light but I mowed and forgot to turn it back in so I found some huddled next to the coop and not in it.

Seems it takes them some time to learn where to go and what to do.

Kind of like kids riding the bus for the first time.

 

[patman75]

Well that was short term success, after 4 days of leaving the nest boxes open I have a nest box full of poop today!!

Well back to blocking the nest boxes for a while.