ok this is not going well

[farmgirlz]

Um....well....hmmm...how do I say this without sounding "hoiyty toiyty" {cause I'm not, I'm a serious country girl}.... That's kinda gross.

Amusing, but gross considering that basically a hen is pooping in your bed. And chicken poo is bad news.

I think maybe I'd build a small run onto the chicken coop so that she's not "cooped" up all day, but isn't able to get into the house. But, maybe until then, you could try and teach her that going in the house isn't acceptable. Chickens hate getting wet, so maybe you could sit by the door with a spray bottle and squirt her a few times until she learns that she's not supposed to be in the house.

Make sure her nesting box is quiet and enclosed, and fill it with some dry wood shavings. A small perch in front of the nests wouldn't hurt either.

Best of luck...

 

[farmgirlz]

Quote:
She'll relax after a time. I had a hen that wouldn't lay in the boxes for close to a month. I had to go out into the run every day to get her egg. But eventually she got the hang of it.

Do you have enough nesting boxes? If they're constantly scurrying to get into too few boxes, it may complicate matters.

 

[Zonoma]

Kind of puts a new spin on "breakfast in bed", that's for sure!

 

[dbounds10]

Since she is laying in your bed I assume you don't use chicken diapers? How in the world do you keep the chicken poo out of your house? Mine poo about every 5 minutes so having one roaming around the house un diapered would be a headache in itself. Maybe you could order a diaper for her and she would lay in the diaper? Other wise I would just stop letting her in the house.

I am working on the hubby to let me get a diaper for my favorite girl so she can come in but no luck so far!

 

[ll]

Quote:
LOL

This red hen thinks she belongs in the house lounging on the furniture.

AWW

Chicken Diapers - yes

Keep trying to break her of the habit - idk maybe try putting a soft small piece of material/blanket in the nest ... and best of luck.​

 

[montanaSarah]

Do you have enough nesting boxes? If they're constantly scurrying to get into too few boxes, it may complicate matters.

i have 2 boxes for 6 hens. is that the right number of boxes? she freaks if they come in for water or anything. i'll just try to be patient...i hate to loose eggs by stepping on them!​

 

[farmgirlz]

Quote:
i have 2 boxes for 6 hens. is that the right number of boxes? she freaks if they come in for water or anything. i'll just try to be patient...i hate to loose eggs by stepping on them!

I have 4 boxes for 8 layers. Probably more than is necessary, but they never have to argue. That way, when one goes broody, there's still 3 vacant boxes. My guess is that she's just the low hen in the pecking order so when the other hens come in for food or water, she doesn't want to be around to get picked on. 2 boxes should be enough, but another box certainly wouldn't hurt, just a milk crate or cardboard box would do to see if that alleviates the problem.

 

[farmgirlz]

Chicken Diapers???

I've never heard of such a thing!!!

 

[dbounds10]

Yep, there are folks on here that custom make them for you.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=566885&p=1

 

[mickeymousears]

Here's the princess yesterday

And today!!

He he he. Take that husband!! AND my poor elder-bun got his bed back!!