poop in the nest box

[quilter855]

Hi, I kept the nest box sealed off until about two weeks ago and had a couple of days with poops in there. I cleaned it all out and now that we are getting eggs, I am finding poop in there again. I scooped out the poop and the hen laid an egg a few minutes later. I don't know if she or one of the less mature hens is doing this.
How can I stop it? I don't like the idea of an egg getting laid on poop!
P
atty

 

[Scooter&Suzie]

Are your hens sleeping in the boxes? Mine do that because it is higher than their perch, so I also have to deal with it. I find cleaning out the nest boxes twice a week helps keep them clean.

 

[chfite]

I have some pullets that were integrated into the flock a while back. The 5 of them are not yet laying. They sleep in the nesting boxes and poop there. My other hens lay daily, so I just have to work with it. Eventually they will start laying and should stop pooping in the nest boxes. They four do not roost on the roosting ladder with the others. Chickens.

Chris

 

[duck rookie]

I have this same problem. I got my chickens a week before easter. I have nesting boxes with pine shavings and there is also a roost which is higher than the nesting boxes. The chicken prefer to sleep in the nesting boxes and poop in them. I clean it out every other day and I tried putting fake eggs in the boxes to help prevent them from pooping in them. it worked for three days then they just pooped on the fake eggs. My friend tells me they just aren't ready and will lay in the boxes when they are?? someone else told me to try to put straw in the boxes which might help.. are they too young? My rooster just started to try to crow a few days ago but then stopped?? am I doing something wrong?