Hens sleeping / pooping in their laying boxes

[shmeggs]

we had problem awhile back. I went out about 2 to 3 weeks every night after dark placed them on the roost myself. now im not having the problem. it may just take a little time to work with them and teach where they should be at bedtime.

 

[TwoCrows]

It helps to teach them to roost early on in life, so that when they head out to the coop, they already know how to sleep.

I like to start in the brooder. At day one, I have very small and medium sized branches in the brooder to climb and practice on. By the end of week one, I have a 2x4, 2 side up, in the brooder where they are already roosting during the day...preening, playing, etc....By the end of the 2nd week and the start of the 3rd week, they are already roosting at night on the roost bar and not sleeping on the floor.

Come time to take them out to the coop, they already know how to sleep at night. Now that does not stop them from sleeping in the nest boxes on that first night, being scared in their new environment, however by blocking them off those first few nights, they will on their own automatically, hop up to roost in the evening with no help from me. In a few days, when their fear is gone and they are comfortable sleeping in the coop, I can take the blocks out of the nest boxes and all is good. And I never have to persuade them or place them on the roost bars. They already know what to do.

 

[Cherterr]

Just wanted to chime in:

YES.... I have (metal) boxes that my hens were pooping up/sleeping in like crazy! I used their 'ramp' to block off the row of next boxes, shut the coop door at night, and wa la... they went to the roost and have been there ever since.

I pulled out the old nest materials and started a new with shavings. After they get smashed down a bit, I just add more.

Only problem I have NOW is keep it clean under the roost. ( I use shavings in my coop floor and basically, just keep piling them on.) It's tight in there, so I guess I'm gonna need a smaller shovel if/when I want some out for the garden!

I heard that shavings were best cause you could just add more..and it certainly helps with the mess, any leakage (added plastic to wire part of walls) and having a pleasant smell.

 

[aart]

Are your roosts higher than your nests?
That helps, as they want to roost as high as possible, but retraining still may be necessary.
I still go out at dusk to make sure everyone's where they belong, and to close the pop door, every once in a while one girl needs reminding.

Is there a foot of roost length for each chicken? They need a little room to get settled.
Is there enough head room above the roosts?