Littles relaxing in nest box?

[RebelEgger]

My littles are 11 weeks old now. They have been in the coop with the 2 big girls for several weeks. Everyone seems to be co-existing very well and the littles are roosting at night with the big girls. This afternoon I found the having a siesta in the nest box, is this anything I should be concerned about or discouraging? I can’t block the nest boxes off incase the big girls need to come in and lay but should I be shooing them out? Like I said they are roosting at night, right now they just want some quiet time I guess?! Thoughts?

Gladys and Ethel having a siesta

 

[sourland]

Only problem is that they may defecate in the nest box.

 

[RebelEgger]

Only problem is that they may defecate in the nest box.

I know, and today I can shoo them out but when I’m at work all day it’s a chicken do what you feel fest! Lol I don’t mind changing out nesting material if this happens but just didn’t know I should be chasing them out if there?

 

[sourland]

I'm thinking it's probably a behavior that they will grow out of.

 

[RebelEgger]

I'm thinking it's probably a behavior that they will grow out of.

I hope so!!! It’s not like they don’t have a ton of other places to nap!!! Lol and since I’m home today the coop/run door is open and they have access to the great outdoors! And yet they choose to sit inside the nest box!
Thanks @sourland

 

[Crazy Maizie]

They feel comfortable there. I'm sure they will figure it out soon enough. Your older girls most likely will chase them out eventually.

 

[RebelEgger]

They feel comfortable there. I'm sure they will figure it out soon enough. Your older girls most likely will chase them out eventually.

As soon as they see "Big Berta" coming, I'm sure they will go find somewhere else to chill! lol

 

[rosemarythyme]

Some chicks like to play in/around nest boxes. As long as they don't just stay in there all day (or night!) I just let them explore them as part of the environment.

So far I've found they're much better about learning to use nest boxes when they can play in them as young 'uns, than if they don't explore the boxes early on.

 

[RebelEgger]

Some chicks like to play in/around nest boxes. As long as they don't just stay in there all day (or night!) I just let them explore them as part of the environment.

So far I've found they're much better about learning to use nest boxes when they can play in them as young 'uns, than if they don't explore the boxes early on.

Thanks very much for the reply. That’s what they seem to be doing - exploring and playing. They definitely aren’t setting up a permanent camp!

 

[KyCoop]

I gave my littles a box to be their "safe place". The coop was just too much of a wide open space. By the time the box got yucky and had to be removed they felt much better about the scary world.