Nest boxes poop problems

[mummys girls]

Hello fellow hen lovers.
I'm new to the site.
I have a small issue with my girls pooping in the nest boxes. How can I stop this from happening. I have some good roosting perches for them they just won't use them.

 

[sourland]

Are the roost bars higher than the nest boxes? If not can you move them higher or lower the nest boxes ? Chickens tend to roost at the highest point possible. If all else fails try blocking the nest boxes in the evening so that they can not get into them.

 

[lomine]

I agree the roost bards should be higher than the nest boxes. Also make sure you have enough space for all your birds on the roost bars. Minimum you want is 1 ft per bird (you can get away with less if they are bantams but you need more if they are one of the bigger breeds). Sometimes the top birds can get pushy with those lower in the pecking order and will force them off the roosts if there isn't plenty of room.

 

[Binki]

I think this is in regards to chickens - I've never done it, but read that when introducing chickens to a new coop, you should remove nesting boxes for the first few days or weeks? to get them accustomed to roosting or else.. They will mess up their nest boxes

So perhaps you need to remove the nest boxes until after they've started to roost, making sure they can reach the roost easily.

Also could be colder on the roost than in the nesting box, perhaps check for drafts?

 

[jojackc]

Not sure if you realized this but you posted this in the quail section. Not sure how much help you will get posting this question here Quail don't roost.

 

[JaeG]

Are they young birds or moulting? Young birds sometimes need you to put them on the roost each night until they get that's where they are supposed to be. You can block off access to the boxes at night too with a piece of ply or something similar. If they are moulting they can feel very sore and miserable so just can't be bothered jumping up, so will tuck themselves up in a nestbox. I cut mine some slack when they do that.

 

[rita2paul]

mine like to sleep in the nest box, i just pick the poo out each day, some will roost but some like the boxes. i leave them to choose. it's no bother taking out the poo. they seem to like to lay the eggs in one box and sleep in the others. so the eggs stay clean.