Roosting and Laying Locations

[Ga Grain]

Hey to everyone. I know this isn't the newcomer intro section but here I am. Been in the chicken world since the first of the year. Never owned one or been near them before that so I've just been 'winging it'. Thought it would be a cheap way to get eggs in this economy. Wrong there but have found a fun hobby. Currently I have 2 RIR, one rooster and one hen (got my first egg four days ago and one each day since!), and one RIR and 3 barred rock biddies in the brooder. It's cost me 14 other biddies (may they rest in peace) to get to this point. But I think I finally got the pen secure now, no more owls, hawks, dogs getting in and no more chickens getting out.

Now to my current problem, if it really is a problem. The grown RIRs won't roost. They insist on sleeping on the ground. been that way since they were biddies. Sometimes they even lay in the open away from the covered roost in the rain. I have tried adjusting the heights of the roost and even changed the material. Originally I was using 1"x tobbaco sticks and swapped them out with some about 2" pine sapplings. still, they want nothing to do with the roost. What I have read on here so far is to go out several times a night and pick them up and put them on the roost. Is there any thing else I can do besides babysit chickens all night?

Second problem is that the hen has chosen a (currently very muddy due to recent heavy rains) corner of the pen to lay in, instead of the nesting boxes that I built. I think the boxes (three to chose from) are plenty big enough based on others recommendations on the forum, but I've never seen her go anywhere near it to even explore. They are about 18 - 24" off the ground, so I dont see where putting a golf ball inside will do any good since she never leaves the ground anyway.

I've notice that you are all a very smart bunch and any help would be greatly appriciated! Thanks in advance.

 

[TheBuff]

First problem, It shouldn't take 3 or 4 nights to do it. Make sure it plenty dark enough.I did my rooster that way. Second problem, Put a single nest box on the ground with the golf balls get her use to using it then take it away.

 

[Ga Grain]

Thank you for the reply.

So I just need to pick them up while they are sleeping and set them on the roost and they will balance and stay there. do that three or four nights and its done?

and the nest box on the ground, does it have to look like the others I have. They are a single unit I made out of plywood and are mounted to the fence. Will just any type of nest on the ground work? How long should she lay there before I take it away?

 

[ams3651]

some chickens just dont roost and as for the nest box when my girls picked a spot other than the nest box to lay eggs, I just moved my nest box to that location. They like dark and close. Recently I had to close off a corner that one of my girls decided was a good place to lay, I didnt find it till there was about 8 eggs there. Putting plastic eggs in the box will help them know where to lay. Even pick them up once and a while and just place them in the box.

 

[Ga Grain]

So there is nothing wrong with them not roosting? I'm a bit confused, do they need to roost, of can I just leave them be. I read on one thread that the nest box has to be lower than the roost or they wont use it. If they sleep on the ground do I have to but the nest box on the ground for them to use it?

 

[Ga Grain]

Can someone please give me a little more follow up or reference locations to find more info on this one?
Thanks.

 

[Montana]

I can't speak much to the roosting problem since that's never happened to me. My only concern about chickens not roosting would be about their safety. At least when roosting they are safer if something gets in to the coup at night - had this problem with possoms for a while. Those stinkin' things can get through some pretty small fencing.

Regarding the nesting, I noted you mentioned your nesting boxes are nailed to the fence? So they are outside? If so that may be your problem - too bright and open. Move the boxes inside. My hens like to be in a darker, cozy area. If they are free ranging I'll find eggs under bushes or in dark corners of the yard. I don't believe there is any issue on whether the nesting boxes are higher or lower than the roosts. I've had them both ways and it didn't seem to make a difference.

I like the suggestion above to start with a box on the ground with a golf ball or two in it. There's a thread on "inexpensive nest boxes ideas" in the Managing Your Flock. It's about 4 pages in right now. I use milk crates filled with hay. You can start with a cardboard box on the ground and graduate to your current plywood boxes once your hens get the idea. Good luck! Keep us posted.

 

[Ga Grain]

Thank you Montana from Michigan!

The reason I put the boxes near the fence is because I guess I dont have a real coop. They are in a wire fenced in area 16'x10'. I just put a tin roof over about 8'x6' in one corner ( this is where the roost is at) were my wooden privacy fencing meets my work shed (so there is two walls basically).

Is this type pen acceptable or will I need to build a real coop?

 

[Montana]

That's an interesting question. Here in Michigan a lean-to would not be sufficient given our weather. I personally think a coop is necessary. It doesn't have to be elaborate. Chickens are not hard to please. Even an old shed will do.

My chickens put themselves away every evening so all I have to do is close the chicken run if they are free ranging. I have a 4'X8" shed with a small chicken door and a walk-in door on the end. Roosts made of dowel rods at the far end from the walk-in door and two nesting boxes mounted on the side walls on each side of the walk-in door. My only regret building this coop is I wish it was a double wide. We made it 4X8 as that's a standard sheet of plywood for the floor. And our coop is about 2' off the gound.

They took to the nesting boxes and roosting bars from day one. Never been a problem. I don't think my hens would enjoy a lean-to at all.

One more thing. When I'm driving down the road and I see those little shacks people put out at the end of the driveway for their childred to wait in for the buss, I think, that would make a nice little coop. I think you need a coop. Your chickens will feel more safe and at home.

 

[ams3651]

maybe you would want to close off one end a little better for more protection from the weather and more privacy for the hens. They definitely like a dark close space to lay.