Minnesota!

[KlopKlop]

A few weeks ago I build a new set of nesting boxes for one of my pens. It is 2 rows high, 3 in a row. The boxes are more or less 11"x11"x11" with an angled lip on the front about 2" high. I am having recently issues with the birds kicking all the straw out of the boxes except 2 which I imagine is because there is a hen in them all the time since that is the only nice place to nest. So I end up adding more straw every day, but the same thing happens. I think this is causing traffic jams at egg laying time as I have been finding eggs on the floor near the nest boxes.

Do you think the boxes are too small? they are too bored? I just got a pile of milk crates for next to nothing and I'm considering turning them into nests and seeing if that helps. I can always use the wood boxes as a shelf in my shop.

 

[duluthralphie]

A few weeks ago I build a new set of nesting boxes for one of my pens. It is 2 rows high, 3 in a row. The boxes are more or less 11"x11"x11" with an angled lip on the front about 2" high. I am having recently issues with the birds kicking all the straw out of the boxes except 2 which I imagine is because there is a hen in them all the time since that is the only nice place to nest. So I end up adding more straw every day, but the same thing happens. I think this is causing traffic jams at egg laying time as I have been finding eggs on the floor near the nest boxes.

Do you think the boxes are too small? they are too bored? I just got a pile of milk crates for next to nothing and I'm considering turning them into nests and seeing if that helps. I can always use the wood boxes as a shelf in my shop.

I think you are raising Juvenile delinquent chickens!


I had the same problem, I switched to wood chips in the nest, They still empty them, but it takes a LOT longer. When I used straw it lasted about 5 hours before it was all on the floor.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I think if I gave the go ahead Sadie would kill a chicken for me. Which is where I want her head space anyways for hunting. But yah...we're all learning together.
Tidbits from the book "Gun Dog", some "Dog Whisperer" techniques. Otherwise I don't know anything much about training. Other than consistency, praise, reprimand and alot of reminders.

 

[duluthralphie]

I think if I gave the go ahead Sadie would kill a chicken for me. Which is where I want her head space anyways for hunting. But yah...we're all learning together.
Tidbits from the book "Gun Dog", some "Dog Whisperer" techniques. Otherwise I don't know anything much about training. Other than consistency, praise, reprimand and alot of reminders.

And installing an electronic brain...

I am thinking of digging mine out to get them to stop eating poop. I just find it so gross. And then they expect me to hold them,

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Page 900 of the Minnesota Thread! Watch out California thread.

My birds are constantly kicking their nesting out of the boxes as well. I think they find their comfortable fluffiness for egg laying and they don't mind that it spills into water or whatever. It's just a side effect of making the perfect bowl of a nest for laying eggs sometimes. Which reminds me I need to re fluff. Add some flower petals and mint. Spoilt.

 

[KlopKlop]

And installing an electronic brain...

I am thinking of digging mine out to get them to stop eating poop. I just find it so gross.  And then they expect me to hold them,

Yes, we use 'electronic brains' but rarely have to use them. Ours zap, vibrate, or beep. Vibrate is useless but we trained using the beep for corrections and only zap when they need to be 'reset' which now is hardly ever.
I like to joke that they occasionally 'need their ear batteries recharged via the neck receptacle'

 

[KlopKlop]

I think you are raising Juvenile delinquent chickens!


I had the same problem, I switched to wood chips in the nest, They still empty them, but it takes a LOT longer.  When I used straw it lasted about 5 hours before it was all on the floor.

Yes we have 20 pullets in with 12 hens and I suspect the pullets may be to blame. They like to hide out in the coop in the heat of the day and I imagine they get bored

 

[Bogtown Chick]

DH has the electronic brain and we reserve that for Pheasant farm hunting. Those birds cost to much to leave a 1/2 trained numb skull to run the field. He used it mostly when Jasmine was young and when she was older putting it on was the reminder. DH didn't even have to turn the thing on.

As for poo eating Ralphie...have you thought about putting some kibble in your pocket and working with her in the chicken yard. Give her praises when she diverts from a poo pile and opts for the kibble. Just a thought. IDK...she may require a little chicken poo in her diet. LOL.

 

[KlopKlop]

My dogs would argue that a healthy serving of chicken poo is a requirement of a healthy dog diet

 

[Cyrus83]

Well my rooster tried challenging me for the first time this morning, which got him carried around by his feet for a minute and then football style for a while. Maybe I need to grill some poultry next to the run tonight to remind him where bad birds go.