Pooing in nesting box

[Happyhellybell]

Hi all

I've had chickens on and off my whole life, however about 9 months ago i bought 4 new chickens from a battery farm.

I put them in their new space where there is a house with a nesting box at the bottom and a roost higher up at the other end of the house.

At first there was a ledge on the edge of the nesting 'area', which i assumed they perched on and poo'd in their nesting box, so i removed it. Now however they just poo everywhere and their eggs are always covered! *blurgh*..

I 'm not convinced they use the roost as all and am wondering if this is a natural behaviour of an ex-battery hen!?

Does anyone have any experience? I am about to go out and put either new nesting boxes in that are more closed off so that they might not want to sleep in them ( i've never actually looked at night to confirm thats what they're doing - might do that tonight) or else put some sort of curtain up.. as i'm very very sick of having to wash copious amounts of poo off eggs or worse yet throw them out ( as after the rain the eggs can get disgusting :/.. naughty hens).

Any help appreciated.
Cheers

 

[Chick Charm]

You may want to lower the roost to get them to use it. They may not like the height of it. Lowering it will encourage them to use it instead of the nests. Also, your right, COVER those nests at night. Make them inaccessible so that they cannot roost and poo in them at night. They will figure it all out but you have to guide them in this case. If these were added to an existing flock the regulars will sometimes peck the newbies into a lower roosting spot forcing them to roost in the lower nests. If they are the only four chickens they just need to be taught where to roost.

Hope this helps.