(I just typed up this thread, then didn't find it-so a similarly worded post from me may be on here somewhere. If so I apologize for the repeat)
With the flock growing, I'm trying to free up more room in my coop. Our coop right now is a 3x5 floor, with 5 feet of ceiling height. there is a horizontal row of nesting boxes (5 gallon buckets) about a foot off the floor, then 3 perches/rungs, above them. The boxed right now collect lots of poop from the roosting hens at night, and are taking up precious space I'll be needing soon with new additions to the flock.
On to my question: Will moving the nesting boxes outside the coop be too detrimental to their laying habits? I'm worried they may not use the boxes if they move them, and start laying eggs either outside in the yard, or in the floor of the coop.
I can always count on good advice from the BYC community. Thanks in advance!
With the flock growing, I'm trying to free up more room in my coop. Our coop right now is a 3x5 floor, with 5 feet of ceiling height. there is a horizontal row of nesting boxes (5 gallon buckets) about a foot off the floor, then 3 perches/rungs, above them. The boxed right now collect lots of poop from the roosting hens at night, and are taking up precious space I'll be needing soon with new additions to the flock.
On to my question: Will moving the nesting boxes outside the coop be too detrimental to their laying habits? I'm worried they may not use the boxes if they move them, and start laying eggs either outside in the yard, or in the floor of the coop.
I can always count on good advice from the BYC community. Thanks in advance!