Roosting in nestboxes

[TxCritter]

Our coop is 10'x10' which houses 8 large breed pullets.None of them are laying age yet but close.The problem I'm having is that most of the hens like to roost in and in front of the nestboxes rather than on the roosts on the other side of the coop.Is there a way to get them to use the roosts rather than pooping in the nests every night?Maybe put the roosts higher than the nestboxes?

 

[Chicken03]

Putting the roosts higher might work. You could try actully putting a chicken on a roost and see if it will stay. Also make sure the roosts are convenient for your chickens to get on.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The roosts need to be higher than anything else. Most chickens will automatically try to roost as high as they can. I say most as there are always exceptions.

They have learned to roost in the nesting boxes. If the chickens are not laying age yet, you may in luck. If you can block off the nesting boxes where they cannot roost in them and give them higher roosts, they might switch to the roosts without much problem. Check on them after dark to see where they are roosting. If they are not using the roosts, physically move them to the roosts until they learn that is where they need to be. It may take a few nights to do this.