Recommendation on expected nesting box problem?

[HewlettFam]

We are raising 7 leghorns--5 hens, 2 roosters (which we are planning to get rid of). They're approx. 4 mos. old and from reading on the site, I believe we've probably set up our nesting area wrong--we put it on a shelf in the upper region of the coop and set up some roosting areas below the nesting shelf/box. I realize we should have done that in reverse now, but what's done is done.

Any advice on how to help encourage the egg laying in spite of our mistake (or things we might want to do to help make up for the expectation of the problem?)?

Thanks for any ideas!

 

[sourland]

As long as the hens are not roosting/sleeping in the nest boxes, everything should be OK. The problem with having the nest boxes higher than the roosts is that chickens like to roost at the highest point possible. Since they defecate while they sleep that could soil the nest boxes.

 

[HewlettFam]

Thank you--since they're not laying yet (and we've not yet opened the shelf/boxes for them to explore/experience per a recommendation), hopefully it'll work out just fine. We're on a sharp learning curve here! --thanks again!

 

[aart]

Fix it now or it'll be forever f..f..fouled up!

Seriously I'd correct the error or you will be always cleaning eggs or moving birds at roosting time.
They will roost as high as possible...and who knows where they might lay in that situation as it is now?

 

[RizzosPeeps]

I built an A-frame chicken tractor for our small flock of 8 early this spring. I positioned my 2 nesting boxes above the bar also, for a few reasons. One it was the most economical with an A-frame design, two, nesting boxes up means I dont have to have them covered. If they were below the roosting bar they would need a separate roof over each one to shield from droppings. Nesting up high also gives greater ventilation in the summer and heat in the winter (in my case) to the nests and egg, once laid.

This design has worked well for me, our hens just started laying about 2 weeks ago. Since they have started laying I notice that I have to move them less and less from trying to roost in the boxes. When no one was laying there were usually at least 2 trying to roost in the nesting boxes. Now it seems like they are figuring out what the nesting boxes are for as they start laying. I would say to try the same thing, move them out of the boxes and onto the bar when you check on them in the evenings, once they start laying I bet you will find them doing it less and less. We have 2 hens left that have not started laying yet, I only catch one every once in a while in the nesting box trying to roost. Btw I have one rooster also, Ive never found him in either nest.

You can see my design (to check out my nesting boxes) here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/cedar-chicken-tractor

I think youll be fine, good luck!

 

[HewlettFam]

Thank you for this--both of you! Really appreciate the encouragement on the potential problem b/c with the way we have it situated, it seems like a challenging thing to fix it. We may try to fiddle more with the roosting bars rather than messing with the nesting area. Definitely don't want it to cause so much of a problem with the eggs so......we shall see. THANK YOU!

 

[HewlettFam]

Ps: really enjoyed the pics of the A-frame coop. Love it!