How do you make nesting box curtains?

[Soon2BChixMom]

I used this vinyl stuff (because I bought it for something else that didn't work out).
I stapled the sections and then cut the strips. The whole set up was new to my girls and they use the nest boxes with no problems.
It was super easy. I used other pieces of the vinyl as a nest box liner.

 

[SueT]

Well I have a question ....are curtains to keep chickens from roosting in the boxes? Or just for privacy laying? Why would curtains keep them out at roost time if they do go in to lay? Have any of you found that it works to prevent roosting?

 

[jthornton]

Well I have a question ....are curtains to keep chickens from roosting in the boxes? Or just for privacy laying? Why would curtains keep them out at roost time if they do go in to lay? Have any of you found that it works to prevent roosting?

AFAIK the only thing that prevents them from sleeping in a nest box is a roost that is higher than the nest box. I put curtains in mine after looking at commercial nest boxes. I assume it gives them a sense of security out of sight out of mind kind of thing.

JT

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Well I have a question ....are curtains to keep chickens from roosting in the boxes? Or just for privacy laying? Why would curtains keep them out at roost time if they do go in to lay? Have any of you found that it works to prevent roosting?

I thought it was just for privacy. But, my hens have been known to sleep in their previous coop's nest boxes, but not these. The previous coop was a prefab.
I actually just made the curtains for fun since I had the material - if it didn't work out, I was going to take them down. But, they seem to like the setup.

 

[jthornton]

I thought it was just for privacy. But, my hens have been known to sleep in their previous coop's nest boxes, but not these. The previous coop was a prefab.
I actually just made the curtains for fun since I had the material - if it didn't work out, I was going to take them down. But, they seem to like the setup.

All the prefab's I've seen the roost and nest box floor are on the same level so no motivation to sleep on the roost.

JT

 

[moniquem]

My coop has 3 nesting boxes along one side that I plan on turning into 2 then hanging a small rod that I can hang curtains on.

Found this article on Pinterest: https://countrysidenetwork.com/dail...reasons-to-hang-chicken-nesting-box-curtains/

 

[rita2paul]

hi can anyone tell me why you don't want your girls sleeping in the nest boxes, i want mine to sleep in them and they won't. i pick them up at night and put them in and they all jump out and sleep in a heap on the floor, they lay their eggs in there but not sleep.

 

[SueT]

hi can anyone tell me why you don't want your girls sleeping in the nest boxes, i want mine to sleep in them and they won't. i pick them up at night and put them in and they all jump out and sleep in a heap on the floor, they lay their eggs in there but not sleep.

Because they poop when they sleep!

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

All the prefab's I've seen the roost and nest box floor are on the same level so no motivation to sleep on the roost.

JT

I was just pointing out that they had slept in their nest boxes previously. Mine are actually sleeping on the coop floor - well one has decided to roost. So, I will have to make some adjustments. I don't know why they haven't chosen to sleep in these nest boxes since they aren't roosting though? So maybe it is the curtains. But, I had never heard that until this post.

 

[rita2paul]

Because they poop when they sleep!

thank you now i under stand, i always poo pick every day from there old nest boxes to keep them clean. we have set up a new home and they won't go into the boxes to sleep. i will have to think of something else for them to sleep on at the moment they are all sleeping on the floor.