Pooping in the nest box...

[lemurchaser]

So one or more of the chickens are pooping in the nest box and the eggs are getting really disgusting. What can I do?

I have 7 chickens and 2 nest boxes (although 6 of them use 1 and 1 uses the other). None are broody.

One of them does sometimes sleep in the nestbox, because the others pick on her so much inside the coop. But this nestbox pooping seems to be happening during the day as well.

 

[Mahonri]

I hate when that happens.

You'll need to watch and try and modify the behavior of the offender one way or another.

 

[lemurchaser]

I've been washing the poop coated eggs, is that what other people do? I don't usually wash them, but these are getting really gross.

 

[La Mike]

OK I would actually like to know if there is somehow to stop a chicken from dumping anywhere myself
Mine I believe dont drop chunks anywhere else lol

 

[CentralKYRedneck]

I just wash my eggs. A green and yellow foam dish scrubby thing takes care of the poo really quick.

 

[Chic Chick]

Maybe it is warmer in the nest boxes right now? They will roost in the nest boxes if they are higher then their roosts because they will try for the highest spot possible. If there isn't enough space for them to spread out then try to put up another perch and maybe there will be enough distance for the picked on hen. You can also close up the nest boxes for the night and open them in the morning, but that can cause them to start laying on the floor of the coop.
I just clean them out every week and put fresh straw for them, and it keeps the eggs clean for a few days. LOL it's better to have dirty eggs then to have egg eaters!

 

[kman]

i am having this exact problem right now, a friend of my told me how to correct it and i am trying it now. he said to take clear plastic and drape it over the nest box at night so they can not get in them, in the morning go back out and roll up the plastic so they can lay. he said after a couple days i couple days i could take it down and all should be corrected

Mine started this after i add on to the coop in this add on i moved their roost and they became confused on where to sleep. i will try and remember to post an update hear on how well this works