Pyjama party and pooping in the nest box!

[daddyofbob]

Hey all,

All of my chooks bar one sleep in the nesting box instead of in the roosting compartment. That's 1 amber, 1 nera, and 4 pekins all in the nesting box which is 1x3ft. I have no real issue with it, except for all the poop in the morning. I would like the bedding to last more than a day and was wondering the best way forward.

I was thinking a little door from the roosting bit to the nesting box and only allow them through in the morning when they usually get let out to free range? I could also close this up just before bed time.

Any thoughts?

Warmly,

Richard

 

[chickenbythesea]

divide that nest box into 3... they only need a 1 foot x 1 foot box to lay in... if it's smaller they won't all be able to pile on in and adding dividers isn't expensive

 

[DanEP]

Close the nest boxes off at night so they can't sleep in them, and they will have to use the roosts. Also make sure that their roost is higher than the nest boxes or this will always be a problem. After they start roosting for a couple of weeks you should be able to leave the nest boxes open and be fine, if not close them up again for a few more days. Cleaning nest boxes out every day gets old real quick so its better to retrain them as soon as you can

Dan.

 

[daddyofbob]

divide that nest box into 3... they only need a 1 foot x 1 foot box to lay in... if it's smaller they won't all be able to pile on in and adding dividers isn't expensive

Cheers. Its a little hard to split the nesting box as it is a long one with a door in the middle.

Close the nest boxes off at night so they can't sleep in them, and they will have to use the roosts. Also make sure that their roost is higher than the nest boxes or this will always be a problem. After they start roosting for a couple of weeks you should be able to leave the nest boxes open and be fine, if not close them up again for a few more days. Cleaning nest boxes out every day gets old real quick so its better to retrain them as soon as you can

Dan.

Thanks Dan.

I've made the door so will give it a go later.

R