Nest Box Sleepers

[FarmerKaty]

I am the Farm Coordinator for a cidery located on an orchard where we have 5 pullets. Not having them at my home presents some challenges when it comes to chicken care, as I am only able to tend to their needs between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. My current challenge is that the chickens have been sleeping in their nest boxes. They are 18 weeks old and will start laying soon, so I need to nip this bad habit it the bud asap to prevent poop-covered eggs. I plan to try out some modifications to my current set-up (see photo) including lifting the roost posts by adding another 2x4 on top of the current posts to get the roost higher than the nesting area. I will also try covering the entrance to the nesting area with chicken wire at the end of my work day. This will give the chickens access to the nest boxes only between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.

Please share your thoughts about this plan. Do you think the chickens will want to be laying in the evening/night/early morning between 4:30 pm and 8:30 am? Any other ideas to solve this poopy situation, or suggestions for improvements on my set-up?

Thanks!

 

[cavemanrich]

Adding 4 inches to the roost bars will not be any significance. The area up there is already tight space.
My suggestions on modifications may be different than what you would want to perform...
I would convert the nesting area into roosting area. I would build a nesting box (communal,, meaning a larger than a single) and place on the lower level about 6 inches off the ground on bricks or whatever. You only have 5 chickens, so no need for many nesting boxes. The chickens will use only one favorite even if there are others to choose. Obviously if you have a large number of chickens,,,, you do need additional nesting egg boxes.
I also do not see any ventilation on the top portion. I know that it is open on the bottom, but in intense heat, the top may get uncomfortably hot.
Just another IDEA for you and your associates to consider..
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and

 

[FarmerKaty]

Thanks! I ended up whipping up some quick nest boxes out of milk crates.