Rooster laying in the nesting box!!!

[arlew0127]

I have a 13 week old roster that will not roost on a roosting post. It's like the other 6 hens don't want him around and kick him off the roost. Instead, he goes and lays in the nesting box. As wyou would know it, he also takes a poo in the nest and the hens won't use it...

... Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[DanEP]

You might try blocking the nest box at night till the girls accept him and let him on the roost. It is kind of a pain covering at night and uncovering in the morning but will keep him from sleeping there. By the way how old are your hens? If their not laying yet just block the nest box and leave it until he strarts roosting or the girls near point of lay.
I have a young br roo now that the big girls at that age wouldn't let on the roost either, but once he got a little older that changed and now at 7 months he gets to sleep on the top roost. I'm sure your little guy will get there to just don't let him sleep in the nest box.
A little time will solve the problem along with a block on the nest boxes

Good luck Dan

 

[arlew0127]

Thanks... I'll try that. BTW: My hens are a between 1 and 3 years old...

 

[Ridgerunner]

I think you are exactly right. Those mean old hens!!! When he matures his status will change but it is a problem right now.

Another possible suggestion, Put up another roost separate from the hen's roost. Make it lower than the hen's roost but higher than the nest box so the hens are not as likely to move to it. Then set him on that roost after it is too dark for him to find his way back to the nest, using as little light and commotion as possible. I'd also suggest pretty short so that only one can be on it at one time, maybe 8" long. I have had older chickens leave their normal roosing spot with their buddies and move to another roost spot so they could pick on younger chickens I was integrating. Some of the younger ones started sleeping on top of the nest boxes instead of on the roost, just to get away from those mean hens. When he matures enough, he will move to the main roost on his own.

Good luck! It can be frustrating.