poop in the nest boxes?

[truckguy]

I have had my chickens about a week they do sleep sometimes in the nest boxes and they have also pooped in them quite a bit. they haven't started laying eggs just yet I have about 2 months before they do.

the question is should I remove them for time being until they start laying eggs or will it make any difference?

will they stop pooping in it when they start to lay eggs?

 

[gritsar]

The ones that are habituated to sleeping in the nestboxes won't stop once eggs start coming. Block off or remove the nestboxes until it's closer to the time they need them.

It's also important that your nestboxes be lower than your roosts in the coop. Chickens like to go as high as possible to sleep. If your nestboxes are higher than the roosts, that's where they'll go.

 

[truckguy]

The ones that are habituated to sleeping in the nestboxes won't stop once eggs start coming. Block off or remove the nestboxes until it's closer to the time they need them.

It's also important that your nestboxes be lower than your roosts in the coop. Chickens like to go as high as possible to sleep. If your nestboxes are higher than the roosts, that's where they'll go.

I have a roost in the coup and it is higher than the nest boxes. I think the nest boxes are easier to get to that the roost. I may have to add a step for them to get to it.

 

[LearningChicken]

I put my nesting boxes in after my girls started laying the first egg. It sits on the bottom of the coop and they roost up high. I do notice a little poop in the boxes but I think it may be falling from the sky.

I think I would take the boxes out or cover them until your eggs start coming. Just so you know, my girls were very confused by the nesting boxes when I put them in. They kept laying on the ground where the first egg was found, until I followed someones great advice and put 1 fake egg in each box. Now they lay in the box - all except one - I don't think she realizes that she is laying an egg and I always find it under the roosting pole. It is also always shelless =( Hope that stops soon!! There have been 5 so far.

 

[truckguy]

I took the boxes out today. so far they are hanging out where the nest boxes were. maybe now they will use the roost I put in. they have a 2x6 that they can use to get their roost I put in which is higher than where the nest boxes are.

 

[truckguy]

Last night I put them up on the higher roost and I checked on them before I went to work and they were still there.


Maybe they got the idea they can go up there.

 

[gritsar]

Last night I put them up on the higher roost and I checked on them before I went to work and they were still there.


Maybe they got the idea they can go up there.

Great

 

[mhamilton]

So, to stop the poop in the nesting boxes, their roosting perch needs to be higher than the boxes? Here is a picture of the inside.

Is my roosting pole on the left, too low and close to the nesting boxes in the right?

 

[Wrooster]

Is my roosting pole on the left, too low and close to the nesting boxes in the right?

I would say yes. Might also be too close to the back - hard to tell from the picture. If there's enough height under the roof, I'd move it up.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I blocked off my nest boxes with stuffed feed bags.
Once they laying starts they should get into a routine.
I line my nest boxes with a folded feed bag also.
When the bag gets soiled pop it out; fold another pop it in.

Easy Peasy!

You occasionally get a hen sleeping in a nest box you will find.
They still have a bit of a brooding instinct is my theory.