Re-Made the Nests

[3KillerBs]

I tried the folded feed bags as nest liner and gave it several months to see how I like it.

Today I took them out, threw them away, and re-made the nests with just straw and shavings because that system, which has a lot of advantages in theory, didn't suit me.

It probably works well for other people in other circumstances, but I found that the girls would scratch the bedding down to the bag and lay right against the bag. Then, with the problem of molting hens and juveniles trying to sleep in (and poop in), the nestboxes, poop would end up stuck to the bag where, because of the bag being plastic, it stayed in a damp mess instead of drying out rapidly.

When I have poop in the nest or a broken egg and a deep layer of nesting material against the wooden bottom of the nest I find it easier to scoop out dried poop or the spot of eggy shavings than to change the sticky feed bag.

Proving once again that there is no one right way to do things when it comes to chickens and that no one system, however advantageous it is for some people, is right for every person.

P.S. I know how to fix the sleeping-in-nests problem -- adding more perches on the other half of the coop -- but haven't been able to do it yet because I first have to put in the divider that I can use to separate subflocks.

 

[Sally PB]

Proving once again that there is no one right way to do things when it comes to chickens and that no one system, however advantageous it is for some people, is right for every person.

Bingo!

 

[linguini]

with the problem of molting hens and juveniles trying to sleep in (and poop in), the nestboxes

Learning something new everyday!! No wonder I have to chase some chickens out of the nesting boxes lately everyday - they are taking turns to molt (ya! good timing with the below freezing nights) and sleep in the nesting boxes. I thought they are just behaving badly! Should I just allow them to sleep in the nesting boxes until they are done with molting??

 

[Folly's place]

I use plastic egg crates for nest boxes, open side facing the coop, with a 4" board across the bottoms to keep the bedding inside. Because they don't have a solid bottom, the feed bags go in, with shavings, hay, or straw on top. The birds do shove all that nice bedding out, and then I add more. And poop in the boxes does happen, some hens just have to do that.
Mary

 

[rosemarythyme]

Meanwhile I not only use the folded feed bags, but I added even more padding by tucking bubble wrap inside the bag, since my oldest birds lay eggs that are more fragile by the year (even with extra calcium supplemented to them). This way they can scratch out all the nesting material if they want... the eggs are still going to be laid on a padded bottom one way or another!

I refuse to give in and let any of them sleep in the nests. We keep a few sheets of cardboard tucked behind the nest boxes that can be slotted across the front. Thankfully haven't had to use them lately.

 

[3KillerBs]

Should I just allow them to sleep in the nesting boxes until they are done with molting??

I don't if I can help it.

I keep pulling them out and either putting them onto available roost space or tossing them toward the juvenile roosts that they think they've outgrown.

Like I said, I *know* how to stop it -- but I have multiple steps to take before I actually *can*.

 

[aart]

adding more perches on the other half of the coop -- but haven't been able to do it yet because I first have to put in the divider that I can use to separate subflocks.

<scratcheshead>
Are they all together now?

Good to have an extra roost on hand or installed
I have one that goes up easy with 4 screws.
4' long with two 3 piece 2x4 brackets attached with single screws, folds flattish for storage.


I swear by my vinyl nest liners, flat piece fits tight in bottom, rarely leaks.
Egg mess soaked into wood will never stop stinking.

 

[3KillerBs]

<scratcheshead>
Are they all together now?

Good to have an extra roost on hand or installed
I have one that goes up easy with 4 screws.
4' long with two 3 piece 2x4 brackets attached with single screws, folds flattish for storage.


I swear by my vinyl nest liners, flat piece fits tight in bottom, rarely leaks.
Egg mess soaked into wood will never stop stinking.

Yes, they're together. I need to get the coop divided in the near future so I can separate the Blue Australorps from the general flock.

I didn't get an incubator today, but I will see my mother and sister on Monday and I do have money to buy one if I choose.

I have the low juvenile roosts, but the 13-week chicks don't think they should be down there. Some are crowding onto the main roosts with the adults.

 

[aart]

Yes, they're together. I need to get the coop divided in the near future so I can separate the Blue Australorps from the general flock.

I didn't get an incubator today, but I will see my mother and sister on Monday and I do have money to buy one if I choose.

I have the low juvenile roosts, but the 13-week chicks don't think they should be down there. Some are crowding onto the main roosts with the adults.

Put the new roosts up, put the birds on them after dark if need be, they'll figure it out.

 

[3KillerBs]

Put the new roosts up, put the birds on them after dark if need be, they'll figure it out.

Yep.

I just have to get the divider up -- because the roosts would be in the way.

Tomorrow 10 of the young ones go on Craig's List.