Nestboxes

[kelleyg]

I have 5 chicks about 4 months old. I let them sleep too long in the nest boxes now I must break the habit. Hindsight 20/20.

I first put boxes in the nestboxes and the little ladies worked around that and were contorted into every corner. Now I have put up chicken wire and stapled it so the nest boxes are off limits. Should I keep it there for a month and then uncover so that there is a place available to nest when the eggs arrive?

I don't want them to revert and start sleeping in the again becasue they all start panting because they are hot.

 

[RendonRoo]

That should work. I would make sure they roost every night and that the roost is higher than the nest box. After a week or so they should have the new routine imprinted on their little bird brains. Good Luck

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

You may have to go out around bedtime and physically put them on the roosts if they don't get up there on their own. After several nights of this they should get the hang of it!

When you do take the chicken wire down, perhaps a few fake eggs or golfballs in the nest will help them understand what the nest boxes are actually for!