How to block off nesting boxes

[Chickenlady0512]

Hey guys! I just joined and am a new chicken mom! I have a large Overez chicken coop. I am wanting to block off the nesting boxes in the beginning so they don’t learn to sleep in them. I am also going to block the nesting boxes off every night once they are old enough to start laying. I was wondering if any of yall had some ideas to block the nesting boxes off. I want something that is efficient since I will be blocking them off every night. I was thinking like either blinds or wood. I don’t want to use random things around the house. I want to be able to open and close the thing used to block the nesting boxes off. Here is a picture of the nesting boxes

 

[aart]

I'd just put a board up with a few screws until they are of laying age.
By then they will be used to sleeping on the roosts.

 

[Krugerrand]

cardboard is cheap and easy. You can probably find cardboard boxes at Aldi that would just pop right in.

 

[rosemarythyme]

No reason to block, unblock, block, unblock... if you're going to block just cover it until 14-16ish weeks.

I also use a piece of cardboard, and bricks to hold it in place. I stash the cardboard behind the nests for storage, and bricks stack on the side. Very rarely need to block it off but it's nice having it handy if I do.

 

[sourland]

If you place the roosts higher than the laying boxes, it is unlikely that the hens will sleep in the boxes. Chickens like to sleep at the highest point possible.

 

[kissycastaneda]

cardboard is cheap and easy. You can probably find cardboard boxes at Aldi that would just pop right in.

thanks for this idea! I got 2 sweet hens from a local lady. they're already laying age but wanting to sleep in the nesting box. unfortunately the roosting bars and nesting box are the same height. there were a few nights when we first got them that it was a little chilly so I let them sleep in the nesting box snuggled up but now its time to break the habit. cardboard would be the perfect solution for this