Nesting Box Mess!!!

[Ashtyn Claire]

I have had several flocks of hens in the past and have never experienced the current problem I have now, and I am curious to see if anyone else has this same issue...

I am currently raising 6 free-range, full-grown hens who continue to mess in their nesting boxes! I first realized the issue when they started to lay, and since I was using straw to line the nests at the time, I opted for an alternative of wood chips and found that it did not alleviate the frustration of nasty coops! I do coop my hens at night, but other than that they do not remain inside the coop during daylight hours. I clean their coop at a minimum of once a week for convenience and cannot find a way to deter my hens from messing on their eggs and all in their nesting boxes.

Other forums recommended the use of turf in the boxes (but no information as to why) and also recommended a larger coop area. But as neither of these options are particularly money friendly, I want some hard and serious advice as to what I should do!

Thank Yal

 

[eggbert420]

Is the roost higher than the nesting box?

 

[Ashtyn Claire]

Is the roost higher than the nesting box?

Our roost is on the opposite side of the coop than the nesting boxes.

 

[ChickenMammX4]

But is it higher? Chickens like to roost at the highest point.

 

[Georgeschicks]

I have two roosts and my chickens never roost on the lower one, so chickenmammx4 is probably right.

 

[Ashtyn Claire]

But is it higher? Chickens like to roost at the highest point.

The roost is the same approximate height. So raising the roost above the height of the nesting boxes should make a difference as to where they roost, therefore where the mess falls??

 

[Georgeschicks]

The roost is the same approximate height. So raising the roost above the height of the nesting boxes should make a difference as to where they roost, therefore where the mess falls??

That should make a difference. I'm new to chickens though so wait for a second opinion.

 

[eggbert420]

make the roost higher than the nesting box. The chickens will roost in the highest spot possible. This will eliminate poop in the box by 95%.

 

[perchie.girl]

The roost is the same approximate height. So raising the roost above the height of the nesting boxes should make a difference as to where they roost, therefore where the mess falls??

yep

 

[Ashtyn Claire]

make the roost higher than the nesting box. The chickens will roost in the highest spot possible. This will eliminate poop in the box by 95%.

Thank You!