nesting boxs

[painthorse]

I have a 20x14 x6 1/2 ft car shed turned in to a chicken coop. I put a roost made 4x4s with 2x4s from ceiling to ground about 8ft long. My nest are 8ft long and about 4ft off the ground. Most roost on the roost but some go in the boxes .I have taken the poles off the nest at nite but the still get in. Any solution to keep them out ?I thought about covering up the nest till they learn to go to the roost?

 

[newchicksnducks]

Your nest boxes might be a little high. Chickens like to sleep up high on their roosts at night. If your nest boxes are up as high as the roost is, or close to it, they might decide that is a good place to spend the night! UGH!! Messy boxes. Try lowering your boxes so the lowest one is 2' or so off the ground. Have your roosts higher than the highest nest box. (Use a ramp if you need to get the girls up there) If they are not laying yet, try blocking off the boxes untill they start laying - hopefully they will have gotten the hang of roosting before they need the boxes. Good luck!

 

[painthorse]

Thank you I was wondering about that but before I rearrange the coop they were roosting any were they could find.A little trial & error I guess.