Pooping in Nest Box

[Alagrace]

HI, I stated a bad habit for my girls! My not yet laying pullets were roosting right on the perch to the nest boxes since I didn't know this was a problem until reading more about it, so last week I blocked them off and built two other higher perches for them to roost on. Does anyone know how long I need to block them off for this new perching/behavior to set in? They are about 6.5 months old, so I don't want to block them off too long as I don't want them to start laying somewhere else, but I also don't want really dirty eggs. Thanks.

 

[RizzosPeeps]

They should naturally seek the highest roosting point. I have had a similar problem, I blocked off the nesting boxes at night for a few days at a time, then tested one night leaving them open. I also put a "curtain" in front of the nesting box entrance to make them less tempting during the day, it seemed to help. Good luck!

 

[Alagrace]

Thank you! I think that was our main problem. When we got the coop, the main perch was two feet lower then the nest box perch, so I made them a foot higher, with a ramp going up. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Pork Pie]

Thank you! I think that was our main problem. When we got the coop, the main perch was two feet lower then the nest box perch, so I made them a foot higher, with a ramp going up. Thanks for your reply.

You could always just block them off during the night, and leave them open during the daytime

 

[Alagrace]

Oh, good point. I didn't even think of that! I will do that.