Poulets roosting on nesting boxes

[Guavacoop]

Hello all,
Wondering if anyone can advise me: We have 2 hens and 2 new pullets we've just added to the flock a few weeks ago. We gave them a couple of days to get to know each other through a fence and then combined them. The pullets (5-6 months old) are roosting over the nesting boxes and I'm assuming this is because the older hens won't let them share the roost (which has plenty of room for 6 hens). They are therefore pooping in the boxes, and no one is laying eggs. I try to clean out the poop every morning, but any suggestions on how to get them to roost more appropriately?
Thanks,
Guava

 

[cavemanrich]

Nor sure if I understand correctly. If the pullets are roosting over the nest boxes, how are the gumdrops ending up inside nestbox?? Just make area inaccessible, and problem solved.
If they are inside nestboxes, then just block them off at lockup time. Open back up at dawn.
You may want to place an extra roost (temporarily) at a lower level (somewhere inside coop) than the one you are currently using for your older hens. Eventually all will roost together.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[rosemarythyme]

Do you have just the 1 roost bar? Adding a second one can help.

The younger ones are roosting on top of the nests, not in them, correct? A slanted top prevents that:

 

[aart]

but any suggestions on how to get them to roost more appropriately?

Post pics please.
Might be able to divide the roost with a piece of cardboard to block sight lines.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Yes, photos might help. Without them I'm guessing.

Option 1. Put a roof on the nests and let them sleep up there.

Option 2. Install a second roost higher than the nests, same height or lower than the main roosts and horizontally separated. It's only two chickens so you don't need much roost length but that small number of chickens implies the coop might be pretty small. You may need to physically move them to the new roost after dark to show them where it is.

Option 3. Aart's idea. You may need to physically move them there after dark to get them used to the idea. If you move them before dark they may move back.

Without photos not sure how practical any of these are and we may be missing something obvious.

 

[cmom]

I have some nest boxes with flat tops and once in awhile I would find an egg on one. I solved it by putting wire around the top so they can't get on them anymore.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Since I mentioned photos I'll show one. This is my juvenile roost over the nests. It keep the juveniles from sleeping in nests as they have a better place to go. The flat roofs act as dropping boards which, as you can see, need to be scraped.

 

[ackie]

Also, it's totally okay if they never roost at the same height, as long as everyone is safe. (I dont let my loose birds roost low because they'll just get eaten)

 

[cavemanrich]

(I dont let my loose birds roost low because they'll just get eaten)

What is inside your coop that cant climb up to get the ones on the roost???

 

[ackie]

What is inside your coop that cant climb up to get the ones on the roost???

The loose ones arent in the coop. I'm saying a bird roosting at 4 feet out in the open is at risk of predators that wouldnt get to either a chicken roosting at 15 feet outside or at 4 feet inside a closed coop.