Nesting box info

[fuzzy8]

I have 4 chickens and made 2 nesting boxes elevated off the ground and have a roosting bar in my coop also. I see people on here saying cover the nesting box till the chickens are ready to lay. Is his true? Shlukd I block them off? Also my 4 baby chickens will be sharing a cool with 4 baby ducks once both are older. I plan on keeping all good and water outside.

 

[elizabethjg]

I've raised chicks for three years and have never covered nest boxes, and every thing turned out fine.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sometimes young birds will start sleeping in the nestboxes, if they do than you should block them to discourage it, otherwise it could become a habit, a poop covered eggs habit.

 

[fuzzy8]

Ok. Hmm I'll have to pay attention when they get bigger. I wonder if I don't put straw in it if it will stop them from sleeping in them

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If you have enough roosts it shouldn't become a problem, what happens many times is the bottom bird gets bullied on the roosts during the transitional age of sexual maturity, and has to find somewhere else to roost, if there aren't other roost options the nestboxes will often get used.

 

[fuzzy8]

My coop is 6x7 and 6 foot tall. I have a bord across the with that about 2 feet up and then my 2 nesting boxes are about 10" above that. It's for 4 ducks and 4 chickens. Obviously the ducks will be sleeping on the floor Hope it's enough or maybe I need another roost bar on the opposite side also. But then I wonder if my ducks will get pooped on