Sleeping in Nesting Boxes

[rosieabby]

Hi everyone,
We have three 3 month old Barred Rocks. When I first moved them out to the coop, we kept the 2 nesting boxes closed off. I recently opened them and the ladies are now sleeping in one of them. One gets in fully and the other 2 get their front ends in and roost on the edge. Lots of poop.
Should I close them off again?
If so, when should I open them back up?
They seem to prefer to huddle together in small spaces to sleep rather then roost. They have a big stick for roosting on. Maybe 1.5 or 2 inches in diameter. Should I use something flat instead?
It's definitely not too cold for them at night. The lowest we've gotten is 70 degrees.
Any ideas?
Thanks!

 

[True Patriot]

If they're not laying yet I'd close them. They generally roost as high as they can. Try raising the roost higher than the nests.

 

[Susan Dye]

I had a barred rock who slept in a nesting box. Even got into one with a hen who was broody. Turned out she was a he. Don't know if that had anything to do with it or not. Had to find him a new home, which was a shame. He turned into a wonderful roo. Have not had another chicken before or after who slept in the nest.

 

[Fluffy&Cutie]

hello. this is a very popular topic on byc. i know because i just researched it,lol. friday we opened the nest box. by sunday there was poop. There is the typical advice, nest boxes lower than roosts, check for mites in coop, check their feet to make sure they are ok...
If these are ok you may need to retrain the gals by moving them out of the nest box or by closing the boxes around 4pm-ish before they return to sleep and reopen it the next morning when you open for them. In my case, i had to make the nests look less "comfy". I went to town and put this awesome nesting material in it, i fluffed it up like a big comfy...i guess bed. Once i removed it, the poop stopped. we are still a little bit away from eggs, 2-3 weeks, so i have time to put it back and squish it flatter. I might also move my roost bar up two inches. Hope this helps. good luck!!

 

[rosieabby]

Thanks for the advice! How wide are your roosts? Just want to make sure they have enough foot space to be comfortable.

 

[PetitePlume]

My hens aren't comfortable on the roost I assume. And they are about that size... Easy access to the roost, bogger one and higher than the nesting box I guess.
Every evening I go get the Brahma out of the nesting box and put her on the roost. Have been doing it for a month now and she hasn't figure it out... I'll work on the access, a roost that isn't as smooth and a bit bigger. An other project!
Good luck!

 

[Rein Quest]

I think my chickens are just idiots. Three of them sleep on top of each other in one box. One would sleep on a roost or the second box.

They lay eggs in the third box.

I raised the roost 12 inches. Only way to not block the door. Also traded a 2x2 for a 2x4 because I found that was a recommended size. It’ll also mean their feet would be covered better when sleeping in winter.

So far they still do a dog pile with odd bird out.

 

[aart]

Not only is roost size and height relative to nests important,
but they have to be able to get up and down without crashing into something.
So the size of coop can dictate the height of roost.
@rosieabby pics of your coop, roost and nests would help here.

Even then they may need some 'training'.
Because I have chicks every year I rigged a permanent hinged nest cover.
Close it an hour before roost time, and open it after dark when I lock up.
Works a charm!