Roosting and nest boxes

[Stephanie R]

I have four 13 week old pullets (hopefully). They start the evening out roosting, but when I go up to let them out in the mornings, they are usually crammed into one or both of the nest boxes. Normal behavior? Behavior I should do something about? Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[biteme2134]

I have four 13 week old pullets (hopefully).  They start the evening out roosting, but when I go up to let them out in the mornings, they are usually crammed into one or both of the nest boxes.  Normal behavior?  Behavior I should do something about?  Thanks for your suggestions.

I would stop them from sleeping in there. It'll become habit. I would block off the nest boxes until they're close to 5 months old.

 

[Stephanie R]

I will do that. Thank you.

 

[CrazyTalk]

How early in the morning are you getting out there? The birds will be awake when the sun comes up - this time of year they're up by 4am or so. They may be sleeping on the roosts and then hanging out in the boxes in the morning.


How big is the coop, and how many birds?

 

[Stephanie R]

Four birds. Coop isn't huge but plenty of space for four. They are always all squashed together, by choice I assume since they have space. I get out there between 5:30 and 6:00.

 

[biteme2134]

Four birds. Coop isn't huge but plenty of space for four. They are always all squashed together, by choice I assume since they have space. I get out there between 5:30 and 6:00.

We've been backyard owners for about 3 years but I've raised up probably 4 or 5 batches of chicks to adulthood. The only ones that tried to sit in the nest boxes were some scared ones who were lowest on the pecking order and a few I was given who learned to do that from the other owner.

I wouldn't think they'd get up then go cuddle in the box unless they are cold or scared or they're sleeping in there...

I think if you train them now you won't have any more problems

 

[Ridgerunner]

Could you tell us a little about your coop, maybe even a photo? Where are you nests, near the floor, up higher, above or below the roosts? It sounds like it is all four of them so it’s not them trying to get away from a bully. That’s my normal problem when something like this happens.

I agree you should block the nests off for a few weeks and train them where to sleep. You do want the nests open before they lay their first eggs since you want them to train themselves to lay in the nests and not make a nest somewhere else. It’s a good thing you know you have a problem so you can fix it before you start getting poopy eggs.

If they are spending the night on the roosts I don’t know why they would crowd together in the nests after they get up. While they are social animals and like hanging out together that sounds a little strange. Maybe there is something about your coop or best placement causing that.

If I’m thinking about this right it sounds a little strange but sometimes chickens can be strange. That’s why chick TV can be better than anything on cable, satellite or network TV.

 

[Stephanie R]

The nests are on the floor of the second level and the roosts are a bit higher (not much). Top level (half the length of the entire coop) is the hen house, which I close up in the evening after the chickens have come in to roost. Down below is the small run, which is attached to their large run and closed off with a solid gate at night or when I'm not going to be home before dusk. The front of the hen house is open, but I secure a piece of plexiglass across it in the evening, so I'm fairly certain they're not cold. Plus it's been unseasonable warm right now. The nest boxes are at the back of the hen house away from the 'window'.

I don't notice any bullying at all with these chickens. They all hang out together everywhere and no one seems to be the top of the pecking order yet. What I think might be disturbing them is a light. They are next to my shed and there is a light on the back of it that shines into part of the hen house at night. My husband is going to readjust the direction of the light and see if that makes a difference. I haven't noticed any activity around the coop or run that might be scaring them.

My nest boxes are removable, so I took them out last night. This morning, they were all huddled where the nest boxes had been. So I'm thinking light. Would that be a factor?

PS - thank you all so much for your input. I'm new to this and I want my little girls to be comfortable and well-adjusted.

 

[Stephanie R]

Here is a picture of my hen house. You can see the two nest boxes in the background, which I have removed. As you can see, they do roost (crammed all together on about 1/3 of the roost). I cover the front of the hen house with a piece of plexiglass at night, but the light from the shed comes from the left side (as you're looking at it) and shines a bit into the hen house ... mostly on the side that they are not usually in. This picture was taken one afternoon, so it is obviously much brighter than it is at night. My pretty girls. From left to right, Vivian, Kate, Olive, and Nora.

 

[Ridgerunner]

What is that roost made of? Painted wood? PVC? It’s hard to tell from the photo. I find that wood makes the best roosts. It’s not as slick as PVC. Are you sure they are sleeping on the roosts or are they sleeping in the nests?

Light could be a factor. Mine tend to like sleeping by the window but maybe your light is too bright. Redirecting it or putting up some type of screen may be the solution. Chickens need a down time at night. Too much light can effect egg quality later on. They tend to relax better in the dark.

I’d also suggest you raise the roosts a bit. They normally like sleeping on the highest thing available so make sure they know the roosts are higher than the nests.

I don’t know where you are located, putting some general info in your profile could help with that, but they are not cold. At that age they are quite comfortable at freezing as long as a breeze is not blowing in them. I suspect it is either the light or the roosts need to be higher.

Another possible option, can you put the nests in the run below and keep them dry? That might solve your problem.