I need some ideas on how to discourage new hens from sleeping in the nest area rather than on the pe

[daddycool]

We've got 3 new hens about 9 months old. (Americauna, Orp, RIR)

They've decided that spending the night in the nests or in the small walkway behind the nest box is the safest place to be.And we all know what hens do while theyre sleeping. (It's hard to clean it up back there too.) The older hen (barred rock) is the top of the order, yet she prefers to sleep just outside the door on a big perch (in the covered run) which leaves the perch that's inside the coop for the 3 new gals. But they want nothing to do with it. I had 3 hens previously but 2 died. They had no problem with the inside perch and NEVER slept around the nests.I have even moved the perch a bit. Lowered it .... raised it .... and changed the wood it's made from. Nothing ....They won't sleep on it.


I want to get them out of the habit of sleeping in the nest area. 2 or 3 of the gals are starting to lay regularly now and are laying on top of their poop! Any suggestions? If I temporarily block access the that area nightly and open it in the morning will they "learn" to just accept the perch every night like the other hen does? Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[ChicKat]

Hi daddycool,

when I read your post---blocking off the nest boxes seemed lie the best option, then at the end---you suggested it. ;O)

Chickens are creatures of habit.... maybe you can break their bad haibit.

 

[sourland]

Block the nest boxes and raise the perch to a point significantly higher than the nest boxes. Chickens generally prefer to roost at the highest point possible.