re-design nest box - poop getting in

[luvhavnchix]

A couple of my girls roost on the 2X4 outside the nesting box at night instead of on the long higher roosts with the rest of the hens (plenty of room). I don't really care except that they get poop on the edge of the nesting box and then everyone tracks it into the nest when they go to lay. Should I raise the lip of the nesting box so when they poop it slides down the front and onto the floor? Or should I move the 2X4 closer so they won't want to roost there or farther from the nesting box entrance? How far away is too far? Currently the 2X4 roost is about 5 inches away from the nesting box and the edge of the box goes up about 4 inches. What do you think?

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I'd be inclined to move the perch in front of the nest boxes just slightly farther away from the nest box, so their droppings fall to the floor, instead of on the edge of or into the nest box.

You could also try adding an alternative roost or moving a roost, so that it's more appealing to them. They do sometimes just want to roost in a particular place, no matter what you do.

 

[DLS]

I had to takethe perches OFF the nesting boxes altogether & put the roost HIGHER THAN THE BOXES . seems they can't stand someone being higher than they are

 

[Wynette]

I had the same issue for awhile; how I resolved is that I put shoe boxes in each nest boxes every night when I tucked them in. They don't lay at night anyway, and the shoe boxes prevented them from getting into the nest boxes. I removed the shoe boxes early every morning. I did this for several week, and then stopped; I've never had a problem with them roosting in nest boxes since. Guess it had become a habit, and I broke the habit for them!

 

[chickflick]

My hubby didn't put a 2x4 in front of the nests. I think maybe more like a 1x1...something they wouldn't feel comfortable roosting on. Mine also is hinged so we can drop it and easy access to clean out the nest boxes. So, even if they did try to roost, all I would have to do is drop it!

 

[bills]

I would do whatever is the easiest, depending on your original construction.

Raising the lip may be the simplest way, as it may just take tacking on a strip of 1X2 or ? to the front of the nesting box's. As long as the hens can still get in and out of course.

I imagine that your 2X4 is fastened quite firmly so it may be a bit more of a struggle to change its position. Again, whatever is the easiest method to solve the problem.