Sleeping in Nesting box

[dr1939]

Anyone have suggestions on how to keep hens from sleeping in their nesting boxes? One of them pooped in her nesting bix and the next morning I found them both in the same box.

 

[mrsc1951]

You may have to physically move them to their perch a few times after dark but they will get the hang of it. Make sure that they are going into the coop while there is still enough light for them to be able to see how to get up on the perch/roost. I have lights in my coops that comes on about 10 minutes before dusk and stays on for about 20 minutes after so they can all get in their preferred spaces.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

I would make sure that their roost is higher than the nesting boxes. Block off the boxes right before bedtime so it is not an option and if they still don't sleep on the roosts then put them up there. Once they have being sleeping where they should for more than a week you can stop blocking the boxes and hopefully the new routine will stick. (Unless you have silkies, they sometimes just do not roost at all)