Nesting box question

[Melky]

Ok. My pullets are about 15.5 weeks and hopefully will be laying soon. I have Golden Buffs, Barred Rock, and Speckled Sussex. Mine typically will lay at 16-20 weeks. SS more at 20 weeks. I heard from some of you that if you keep your nesting boxes open all the time the hens may just sleep and make a mess in the nest. Mine I think we’re doing just that. The suggestion was to block the boxes at night and open in am while having false eggs in nest. So here we are. Question what is the earliest anyone’s hens have put eggs in the nest during the day? I want to make sure that they do not lay their eggs outside the nesting box. I open the boxes as soon as it is day break. Has anyone tried this before? See attached poll regarding blocking the nesting boxes as well. Thanks for your input in advance.

 

[JulyFly]

Some of my girls lay at 8:00 am and others closer to 3:00 pm

You could close them all the time since they are all pullets (correct??) and when you see the signs that mean they’ll be laying soon, such as squating and “the egg song” you could leave them open during the day and closed closer to roosting time.

 

[Melky]

Ok. My pullets are about 15.5 weeks and hopefully will be laying soon. I have Golden Buffs, Barred Rock, and Speckled Sussex. Mine typically will lay at 16-20 weeks. SS more at 20 weeks. I heard from some of you that if you keep your nesting boxes open all the time the hens may just sleep and make a mess in the nest. Mine I think we’re doing just that. The suggestion was to block the boxes at night and open in am while having false eggs in nest. So here we are. Question what is the earliest anyone’s hens have put eggs in the nest during the day? I want to make sure that they do not lay their eggs outside the nesting box. I open the boxes as soon as it is day break. Has anyone tried this before? See attached poll regarding blocking the nesting boxes as well.

Some of my girls lay at 8:00 am and others closer to 3:00 pm

You could close them all the time since they are all pullets (correct??) and when you see the signs that mean they’ll be laying soon, such as squating and “the egg song” you could leave them open during the day and closed closer to roosting time.

I have noticed some squatting with hand over back and no egg song. Their combs are getting darker. I keep checking for any signs. I should add that my boxes were blocked all day prior to this to assist them in sleeping in the center of the chick house with the roosting bars. They have been curious about the blocking but not bothered it so far. They go to the run to eat/drink mostly. I was out there in the late afternoon evening to clean the house out and Hedy my SS came in to see me, check out the blocking, and she left to go out.l’ll keep watching.

 

[aart]

Open them up now, gives you time to 'train' them not to sleep in them.
Post pics of your coop with nests and roosts showing.

 

[Melky]

Open them up now, gives you time to 'train' them not to sleep in them.
Post pics of your coop with nests and roosts showing.

 

[Melky]

Here they are. They are currently blocked at night.

 

[aart]

Hmm..... Have I seen this before, and already suggested this??....
....the best prefab modification I've ever seen:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134399/help-hens-roosting-in-nest-boxes/10#post_17749535

 

[Melky]

Hmm..... Have I seen this before, and already suggested this??....
....the best prefab modification I've ever seen:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134399/help-hens-roosting-in-nest-boxes/10#post_17749535

You have seen my photos when I started blocking and no I don’t recall seeing the coop modification. Thanks so helpful!

 

[snow5164]

I think they need to be open 24/7, with fake eggs in them . They need to figure out what they’re for before they start to lay... go in at dust and remove any in them and place them on the roost . Then sleep in

I have 2 adults I’m moving each night because they were bullied . We sold the bullies but they still want to hide , I’m hoping after a week or two they’ll get it, some nights they’re roosting already .

Good luck

 

[Melky]

I think they need to be open 24/7, with fake eggs in them . They need to figure out what they’re for before they start to lay... go in at dust and remove any in them and place them on the roost . Then sleep in

I have 2 adults I’m moving each night because they were bullied . We sold the bullies but they still want to hide , I’m hoping after a week or two they’ll get it, some nights they’re roosting already .

Good luck

Thanks. I don’t have bullies but have had two chickens who have always used the roosting bar and two that liked the nesting area between the roosts. It wasn’t till they got older that they started using the nesting boxes to sleep in and mess in. Now that they are blocked. I can tell they are roosting because the droppings are below the indoor roosting bars. I have two sets of bars and there is no competing for them. I have always noted all 4 on the bars since infancy at one time or another. I may give this a try. Thanks for the thoughts for how to solve this if they go back to their old ways once the boxes are open.