Roost and Nesting boxes??

[CluckerFamily]

I have 16 hens and only 3 nesting boxes. I use to have 6 nesting boxes but they would only use 3, the same 3 everyday. So to make more room, I removed the unused ones.

I would either bring the nesting boxes down or raise the roosts. They will perch on whichever one is higher and you would want the roost to be higher than the nesting boxes because the boxes are only used to lay eggs in.

 

[MiniflockMom]

Well I think I have 4. The one that has been laying liked the top ones. She has always been at the highest she can. One is a roo I think...his comb and waddle havent developed yet.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Well I think I have 4. The one that has been laying liked the top ones. She has always been at the highest she can. One is a roo I think...his comb and waddle havent developed yet.

Was going to suggest taking down 2 of the boxes, not because you need to, but mostly because you simply don't need so many for only 4 or 5 chickens. 1 box per 3 to 4 hens is generally enough. But if one of them likes the top boxes, I'd make sure to leave at least one for her.

 

[MiniflockMom]

Tonight has been adventure!! On of the BR hens jumped 6 foot straight up on top of the roof of the coop. Took me forever to get her down. Never boring!!!

 

[Jrios58]

Do you want them to roost in the nesting boxes as well all night long? I didn’t think that was a good idea? I thought that if they slept in their nesting boxes that it promotes pooping on the eggs? I’m just repeating what I have read. I thought it was best for the chickens to have a roosting space and then a nesting box separate to do their egg laying in which they only spent a small amount of time in unless you wanted a hen to go broody and hatch out a clutch of eggs.

I'm a newbie and learning as I go- but when we put our young hens in their coop they slept in the nesting boxes. (It was hilarious, all 12 would try to get in one box. ) however now that they are 4 months old they prefer roosting. The roosts are in the same place, just above the nest boxes