So my hens are about 18-19 weeks and I assume they will start laying any time now. At night they go to bed and all roost together in the coop. Easy peasy... The rooster is also 19 weeks but when he goes to sleep he "roosts" in the nest boxes. I have no idea why but he simply won't use the roost bars. How do I get him out of their because I don't want him dirtying the nest boxes or break eggs by accident in the mornings? I have started going in at night and moving him up on the roost but its not really that easy and slightly traumatic for him....thoughts?
you need to make the nesting box uncomfortable for him, most likely it will still be some weeks before you girls start laying so I would start making things uncomfortable sooner than later. I have also installed some thin metal strips on the opening of my nesting boxes so that it is uncomfortable roost there. It has helped some for me, but I still have to many chickens in my coop.
My rooster and my 4 hens don't use the roost either. They don't sleep in the nest box, but they do sleep on the floor. Is that bad?
Mine sleep piled up on top of the feed barrel. I have one loner who sleeps up on the utility shelf my husband put "way up high so the chickens couldn't get to it".... uh yeah. It is Batman's (SLW) favorite spot, she is up there ALL the time.
Could it be that he is low man on the totem pole and his ladies won't let him sleep any higher? Just putting it out there.
ok i am having the same prob. lol i guess its an age thing,however;i have 6 layin hens and only 5 pullets (i think thts the age) 1/5 pullets is a roo and the rest are hens!!! i was wondering if you could post a pic of your 19 week ol girls and 19 week old roo please??? i was just wondering what they look like because i have no clule what they are supposed to look like as a 19 weeker!! lol <3 kelsey
Two thoughts... You could block off the nest boxes until you are pretty sure the girls are ready to lay. That may be enough time to break his habit. Secondly, I think you are doing the right thing to keep moving him to the roost. It may sink in. Or, fshinggrl could be right as well. (I guess that's three thoughts)
If I put something in the boxes at night and then take it out in the morning he sleeps in the shavings at the bottom of the coop. I am guessing I will just need to move him each night........
