Sleeping In Nesting Box/Rescue Chickens

[kingsleycoop]

I've had my rescue chickens almost 3 weeks now. Two currently have a bad habit, of sleeping in the nesting box and not using the roosting bar. And the third just sleeps in front of the box. I've tried to put a barrier up, in front of the nesting box, and they've broken through it three times now. Since they came from an egg farm, I think they are a little confused about what the roosting bar is even for, lol. I am working on remodeling the coop and was thinking to put a 2x4 in for now, to help them balance and get the concept. With moving, molting and the stress from their "previous" life, I don't want to add to it. Should I keep trying to break the habit, or let them sleep in there for the time being? Thoughts?!

 

[mistifier99]

I have a heap of chickens that don't sleep on the roosting bar. And they sleep on the ground, and some others in the nest box.

I personally don't worry about it. Though, I did get some new chooks who knew what a roosting nest was, and they have kind of taught the others what it is, but a couple still sleep on the ground.

Also, maybe your chooks don't have enough balance or they are just confused as to what its there for.
Maybe if you can, pick them up and put them there?

 

[Kelsie2290]

If it is going to be awhile before you get the coop remodeled, I think I would try to discourage the habit in the meantime, it is a nuisance and it will be harder to break the longer they get away with it.
2x4 wide side up make really good roosts like you said. You might want to take a good look at their legs/toes to be sure there isn't something that is keeping them from roosting easily also. Are the nesting boxes at ground level or how high are they?

 

[sherrihargrove]

my rooster and both hens sleep in nesting boxes. He is stubborn. i'm afraid when they start laying his big butt will break my eggs.

 

[kingsleycoop]

The nesting boxes are not on ground level, they are on a second level in the coop. And the roosting bar is slightly above. But I think it may not be high enough. Everyone's feet seem ok, they have a vet visit on the books soon too.. They are not very graceful, and have seen them try to balance on the bar, and kind of give up after a while, since no one seems to have it down.

They are so scared still, no one will let me really pick them up yet, plus they are molting, so I don't want to hurt them. I am hoping the coop can be remodeled in the next couple weeks, but could put up a 2x4 this weekend...

Maybe I can train one, and the rest will follow? Lol