How to get 10 weekers to stop roosting on nest box **Pics Added**

[cmom]

I would use a 2x4 with the 4" side up for a roost. I would change the bulb to a red bulb or relocate the lamp. You can get 25 watt bulb in any store that sells light bulbs (Home Depot, Wal*Mart, Lowes, etc.).

 

[Lolliegee]

The lamp is actually not producing heat. It only comes on for a couple of hours for light. It's a compact flourescent. I think they just like being near the door, since that's where they all seem to congregate.

I put a new cover over the boxes today, because the other one wasn't working. They were still just sitting on it. Today, I put one over them that is angled and made out of plastic, so that they can't get a grip on it. We'll see how it works.

 

[Lolliegee]

Ok, so after 3 nights, they were doing well with roosting where they were supposed to, so I took the covers off. The next day, I checked and it was obvious that several had roosted on the nest boxes again. I've recovered them, but now I'm wondering how long I'll need to keep them covered. How long do you think it will take for them to learn that the roost is where I want them to go?

 

[OKbirdwatcher]

Lolliegee,

We had a similar problem and, sparing you the details, the 3 or 4 girls out of 10 who didn't take to the roost right away seemed to learn within just a few days of DH's modification to the nest box area.

One sweet little RIR decided she wanted to roost in her favorite nest box. We would gently pick her up from the box and set her on the roost. (She was very calm and never made even the slightest fuss when we did this.) After 4 evenings doing this, she now roosts readily with the rest and does not go into the nest box, even though it is no longer covered.

We did, however, leave our "modifications" in place for a while longer in case of a relapse.

Good luck!

 

[Lolliegee]

I guess I'll just have to leave them covered for several more days. I was hoping to not have to, because, to be honest, I'm bad about getting back out there to uncover them so my grown ladies can lay in them.

OKbirdwater, how long did you leave the covers on?

 

[OKbirdwatcher]

Quote:
Lolliegee,

Yes, having to get out to the coop early in the a.m. to uncover the boxes was a bit of an aggravation (but I kinda like going out to say "Mornin'" to the girls anyway so it was OK.)

We've only had the chickens 13 days, so it was about 5-7 days we had to do that. I don't remember exactly. Time flies when you're having fun!

(That's me running back and forth all day doting on my girls.

)

I hope this takes care of the roosting issue for all of us. It appears to have worked wonderfully here.

 

[Lolliegee]

Thanks, I'll give it another couple of days, then try and uncover them again.

Hope it works next time.