on the higher perches... UGG! Dirty nestbox material every day, and that is where my older hens lay. How can I teach them that nest boxes are not for their sleeping pleasure?
My 5 month olds are nesting in the nestboxes & not roosting
- Thread starter LA~Poulet
- Start date
Close the nests up at night?
Well what you can do is to go at night and physically move them to the roosts. After a few nights they should get the hang of it as well.
Its what I would do since you already have laying hens....you could close off the nesting boxes at night too so they cannot get in, and then open them first thing.
Its what I would do since you already have laying hens....you could close off the nesting boxes at night too so they cannot get in, and then open them first thing.
- Thread starter
- #4
I thought about closing the boxes at night, but the laying hens sometimes are up earlier than we are
There is a cockerel & 4 pullets that seem to be the culprits. I will try blocking them off tonight, and then maybe moving the block once it is dark.
There is a cockerel & 4 pullets that seem to be the culprits. I will try blocking them off tonight, and then maybe moving the block once it is dark.
Block the nest boxes, raise the roosts, make the roosts wider 2X4 or 2X6 even better.
- Thread starter
- #6
The roosts are already at least 6" or 8" higher than the nest boxes, I thought they actually might be too high or too hard to access? So maybe a wider perch would work? I had no idea they liked wider.
Can they reach the roost? I don't know how high your roost is, but sometimes they are not surefooted and have to learn to jump or fly up. Also, are the older girls letting them up onto the roost?
You can try putting something on the floor like a large bucket so they can jump up on that and then to the roost?
Just an idea. I have a mini-perch they like to use as an in between step to the roost.
You can try putting something on the floor like a large bucket so they can jump up on that and then to the roost?
Just an idea. I have a mini-perch they like to use as an in between step to the roost.
- Thread starter
- #8
Well, I just went out with my flashlight and it was only one of my pullets and 2 of my old laying hens. Color me surprised! I helped them find the roosts & hope they stay there.
LA~Poulet :
The roosts are already at least 6" or 8" higher than the nest boxes, I thought they actually might be too high or too hard to access? So maybe a wider perch would work? I had no idea they liked wider.
Yes, they really do, it is much more comfortable for them. Chicken feet are not designed to wrap around a branch like many other birds' are. They can do it, and sometimes will to get a high spot, but it is not the most comfy way to rest for them.
The roosts are already at least 6" or 8" higher than the nest boxes, I thought they actually might be too high or too hard to access? So maybe a wider perch would work? I had no idea they liked wider.
Yes, they really do, it is much more comfortable for them. Chicken feet are not designed to wrap around a branch like many other birds' are. They can do it, and sometimes will to get a high spot, but it is not the most comfy way to rest for them.
Similar threads
New posts New threads Active threads
-
Threads with more replies in the last 15 days
-
-
-
-
-
Please Help! Eggbound & Possible Prolapsed Vent- Started by Elspeth Dinsmore
- Replies: 102
-
