remedy for pooping in nest boxes?

[eggface]

Hello,
I have tried moving my main roost up higher than the nest boxes. I have one short roost that is still lower, but they seem to use that one as a step up to the boxes and most of them stay on it or the higher roost. I'm still getting a chicken or two who want to crap all over the nest boxes and roost on the wooden lip that keeps the straw & eggs in them. I was thinking about taking a jig saw to that lip and cutting a zig-zag pattern so they'd be less likely to roost on there? Anybody ever tried this? would it keep them off but still let them get in and out to lay their eggs? I'd rather not have to seal off the nest boxes at night... i already have to collect my bantam rooster each night and move him into his "apartment" in my basement so he doesn't wake up the neighbors in the AM. I'm trying to keep it a little less labor intensive

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Wynette]

In my personal experience, making the lip on the edge of the boxes less inviting to roost on doens't work.

The best luck I've had is to simply stuff an empty feed sack, or an empty supplement bucket in each nest box when I lock up at night, and then remove early the next morning. But, that's extra work, for sure. The good news is that (again, in my experience) you really only need to do this for 2-3 weeks; after that, they have new habits formed on where they roost.

 

[sunnyvera]

I did the same as Wynette - put pails in the boxes at nite. The only nesting box that was the favorite was #1 and #4 (only have 4 boxes). I would pick them up at nite, when they are in their coma, put them on the roost every nite for about a week. Now they all roost happily perfect where they are supposed to. I had a young roo sleep/poo in box #4, but now roosts with the rest of the flock. Eventually they seem to get it. Success to you.

 

[bockbock2008]

Quote:
I'll have to try that one too. Within a couple days they are disgusting and then of course the eggs are filthy.

 

[lorieMN]

I gave up,,I just make sure they have clean litter on the floor..seems mine prefer the floor

 

[eggface]

Thanks for the advice... guess I'll just have to retrain them for a few weeks Its worth it to not have nasty-ass egg shells

 

[emrys]

I've been retraining one hen all winter. So far she hasn't gotten the message. Every afternoon I block the entrance to the nest. It's been months and if I leave the nest open Sheila hops right in at night. Sometime they simply want what they want.

 

[Redley]

keep us informed of the progress!
Hopefully it won't take long.

 

[darkmatter]

I use to have problems with chickens wanting to roost in the nest boxes. I fixed that by putting a hinged board that folds up to cover the nest boxes when I need to. I now only have to do it when I have Juveniles reluctant to join the adults on the ladder roost. You just have to chase any chickens out of the nests in the evening when you close them up at night and close off the nest boxes til morning when you let them out of the Coop. It only takes mine about a week to learn and adjust.

Here is a picture of some broody hens I had, you can see the boards slanted down from the boxes that will fold up when I need to do so:

 

[Pharm Girl]

I have the same problem. My EE always wants to roost on the nesting box lip instead of the roost. I worry more about her getting bumblefoot from roosting on such a tiny lip night after night. I do move her onto the roost right before I go to bed, which is a pain, but she seems to be getting it after several months of trying. She's spent the last few nights on the roost with the others. I'm not expecting it to last though.
I've had thoughts of gluing those glass florist beads onto the lip about 1/2" apart so make it less comfortable to sit on for long periods. We'll see...