Many Questions About Egg Laying

[wenwar]

Okay, I'm a total novice. We got our chicks in early April, I have no real idea how old they were at the time. My Leghorns have red combs and wattles (don't know if that's the correct terminology), they're about 16 weeks I think. I let them sit in the nesting boxes, is this going to cause issues with egg laying? We have 6 birds total, and they're packed in pretty tight in the coop but only go in at night and free range all day. HELP ME!! I have no idea what I'm doing!

 

[50-45-1]

You let them sit in the nest boxes. Do you mean that they roost at night in the nest boxes?
If they are roosting at night in the next boxes then yes that is a problem. They will poop there then your hens may not use the nests to lay eggs ther choosing elswhere where you cant find the eggs. Or if they do use the boxes they will be covered with poop.
Also i see you are a michigander like me.
My coop my husband and i built, it is 11 X 13, i have 12 chickens and 5 guineas. There are about 3 months of the winter where my birds do not get outside.
It sounds like if you intend to over winter your birds, your coop in not going to work.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I have no idea what I'm doing!

But before too long you will be an expert, it works that way.

Yes, what do you mean "let them sit in the nests"? Is that during the day or are they sleeping in the nests? Could you please describe a bit what is going on?

How big, in feet, is that coop. How many nests, what do the roosts look like, and are the roosts higher than the nests? Some photos could really help. Any or all of that could have a lot to do with what you are seeing right now.

As was mentioned, your chickens probably won't be able to free range this winter. That's when tight space can really become an issue. Do you have a run that will keep snow and a cold strong wind out? That could be important in a Michigan winter.

 

[wenwar]

You let them sit in the nest boxes. Do you mean that they roost at night in the nest boxes?
If they are roosting at night in the next boxes then yes that is a problem. They will poop there then your hens may not use the nests to lay eggs ther choosing elswhere where you cant find the eggs. Or if they do use the boxes they will be covered with poop.
Also i see you are a michigander like me.
My coop my husband and i built, it is 11 X 13, i have 12 chickens and 5 guineas. There are about 3 months of the winter where my birds do not get outside.
It sounds like if you intend to over winter your birds, your coop in not going to work.

We have plans to make our shed into a winter coop. What are your suggestions for the nesting boxes?

 

[aart]

What are your suggestions for the nesting boxes?

Are they sleeping in the nests at night?
Don't let them do that, they should sleep in the roost.
Post some pics of your coop, inside and out.....and tell us the dimensions, as asked.
It's hard to help without enough information from you.

That's a beautiful bird and photograph, she look like she could be ready.
Might want to check her pelvic points.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

If you're free ranging they may be laying out in range area.
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

 

[wenwar]

Here are some pix. How do I keep them out of the nest?

 

[PirateGirl]

Ok, these pictures are helpful. Currently your roost bars are not higher than your nest boxes. If you can raise them up (but still keep them a foot below the ceiling) this will help. Chickens like to roost and sleep at the highest point they can get to. It makes them feel safe at a time when they are vulnerable (sleeping). I'm not sure your dimensions, but you need 10 to 12 inches of roost bar per bird so that they have enough room to sit side by side and still turn around if needed. When it's cold they may snuggle closer together, when it's hot they may spread further apart. Some birds will be buddies and roost next to each other while others don't want to be touching another bird, so they need enough space to sort all this out.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

Mine were sleeping in the nesting boxes as well. I blocked off the nesting box area with chicken wire for about two weeks, and they stopped trying to sleep in there when it was opened up. I had tried moving them to the roosts every night, but they would go right back to the nesting box, so I just closed it up.
If you need more space, you could possibly close in the run area with plywood, leave a few windows in it, and open up the wall between the run and coop (or leave it and keep the door open), then add another roost in that part. If you are planning on free ranging, they don't need the run area.

It sounds like you already have a plan for winter

 

[wenwar]

Ok, these pictures are helpful. Currently your roost bars are not higher than your nest boxes. If you can raise them up (but still keep them a foot below the ceiling) this will help. Chickens like to roost and sleep at the highest point they can get to. It makes them feel safe at a time when they are vulnerable (sleeping). I'm not sure your dimensions, but you need 10 to 12 inches of roost bar per bird so that they have enough room to sit side by side and still turn around if needed. When it's cold they may snuggle closer together, when it's hot they may spread further apart. Some birds will be buddies and roost next to each other while others don't want to be touching another bird, so they need enough space to sort all this out.

Thanks, that makes sense. I'll see what I can do to raise the roosting bars.

Ok, these pictures are helpful. Currently your roost bars are not higher than your nest boxes. If you can raise them up (but still keep them a foot below the ceiling) this will help. Chickens like to roost and sleep at the highest point they can get to. It makes them feel safe at a time when they are vulnerable (sleeping). I'm not sure your dimensions, but you need 10 to 12 inches of roost bar per bird so that they have enough room to sit side by side and still turn around if needed. When it's cold they may snuggle closer together, when it's hot they may spread further apart. Some birds will be buddies and roost next to each other while others don't want to be touching another bird, so they need enough space to sort all this out.

The nesting boxes are 23.5" wide, the roosting area is 26" from top to bottom and the entire roosting area is 24" square.

 

[wenwar]

Mine were sleeping in the nesting boxes as well. I blocked off the nesting box area with chicken wire for about two weeks, and they stopped trying to sleep in there when it was opened up. I had tried moving them to the roosts every night, but they would go right back to the nesting box, so I just closed it up.
If you need more space, you could possibly close in the run area with plywood, leave a few windows in it, and open up the wall between the run and coop (or leave it and keep the door open), then add another roost in that part. If you are planning on free ranging, they don't need the run area.

It sounds like you already have a plan for winter

Great ideas, thank you. I'll try blocking the nest boxes off tonight. We're going to get started on the "winter" coop tomorrow. More pics may be coming.