Should we close nesting boxes???

[Newchickenmom&kids]

I have read that some close the nesting boxes when chicks are young until closer to egg-laying time as they tend to like to hang out in the nest boxes. Besides the obvious of having less mess in the nesting boxes...are there other reasons to block them. Our chicks are 6-8 weeks old and since there are only 5 of them they tend to go to one of two nesting boxes for the night. I know eventually they will be too big to all be in there together and wondered if we should allow them to continue this. I know in the winter we will want them to roost and not sit as i've read this keeps them warmer having to roost....but what about now?

 

[keljonma]

If they start sleeping in the nest boxes now, they will always see them as the best place to sleep.

I would suggest covering them if you can't remove them. We didn't install our nest boxes in the hen house until the chicks were closer to laying age.

Also, you could go into the hen house after dark and remove them from the nest boxes and put them on the roosts.

You don't want them sleeping in them because after they start laying, eggs can get broken and covered with poo.

 

[Newchickenmom&kids]

Good Point!! I knew I needed to check that out!! Thanks!