Pullets sleeping in nest boxes

[BackItUp.PlayItSlow]

How do I curb this? They moved into their coop this week, and every evening I go move them once or twice out of the nest boxes onto the roosting bars. Is there a better way to stop this? I don’t have shavings in the boxes yet because the birds are only about 10-12 weeks old.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

put a piece of cardboard or wood up to block them so they can't get up there.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

put a piece of cardboard or wood up to block them so they can't get up there.

X2

 

[BackItUp.PlayItSlow]

put a piece of cardboard or wood up to block them so they can't get up there.

Thanks, I’ll try this. I was afraid it would deter them from laying in there so I hadn’t wanted to block the boxes off.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Thanks, I’ll try this. I was afraid it would deter them from laying in there so I hadn’t wanted to block the boxes off.

Later, once they get closer to point of lay, remove the board and add fake eggs so they know where to put them. Also, make sure your roosting bars are higher up than your nest boxes. Chickens naturally want to sleep high.

ETA for spelling. How did I come up with 'thickens?!" I typed a lisp I don't even have?!

 

[Mrs. K]

I have used, partially filled with water, milk jugs too. The water makes them heavy enough to keep in the nest. Pull them out in the morning, in in the evening.

I also put a board up on the roost. I started doing this with a broody hen and chicks. Just this week, my chicks, without a broody hen, went to the board the very night I put it up... course tonight they were back in the nest. I put them up there. Ugh!
Higher roosts than the nest help a lot too! It just takes a litter persistence.

 

[sirrobyn0]

I think we have all dealt with this at some point. Because I have other adult chickens I can't really block off the nesting boxes especially if there is a hen sitting. What I ussually do is either leave them in the nesting boxes, they will eventually figure out to roost on their own or after they are pumpkins pick them up and put them on a roost. Seems like they figure it out a little quicker that way.

 

[aart]

or after they are pumpkins pick them up and put them on a roost.

Like after midnight? Good one!

I too have adult birds when chicks are present, so I rigged a hinged cover.
Put it down an hour before roost time, then flip it back up after dark when locking up.
It's very handy!

 

[BackItUp.PlayItSlow]

Like after midnight? Good one!

I too have adult birds when chicks are present, so I rigged a hinged cover.
Put it down an hour before roost time, then flip it back up after dark when locking up.
It's very handy!

That’s something I think I could manage to add. Last night I found 7 of them in the nests. I don’t mind moving them after dark, but would prefer if they put themselves to bed on the roosting bars!

 

[aart]

I don’t mind moving them after dark,

That gets old fast and it can take longer to 'train' them to roost elsewhere.