sleeping in the nesting box

[r&e_ellis]

my 9 week old girls just went outside last week. they were roosting on bars in their brooder but now all they want to do is snuggle up in the nesting box.

what should i do?

 

[highcountrychickens]

It isn't time to be laying just yet, so I would close the boxes at night... by the time they start laying, their perching habit will be well established so you won't have to worry about it...

 

[Judy]

Agree, close off the nest box.

What kind of roost do you have? Maybe it is not comfortable for them. Chickens don't like to hang onto a pole as some birds do. They do like the wide side of a 2x4.

 

[chickenfever]

I agree with the above posts. Don't open the nest boxes again until they are at or almost at laying age.

 

[gcst]

I put empty milk jugs in mine untill it was time for them to start laying.

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. Close up the nest boxes. I open mine up at 16 weeks. I have had two birds from different flocks that started laying at 17 weeks but generally 20 to 24 weeks. Also my roosts 2" x 4" with the 4" side up are higher than my nest boxes.

 

[bryan8]

My 7 week olds love to sleep on the nesting boxes. Why is this bad ?

 

[Chickenmaven]

Quote:
They poop in them. Yuck.

 

[bryan8]

There cleanable haha.

 

[7cutechix]

My six sleep all piled up in them too. I'll try the milk jug idea! (I heard all kinds of racket when they all went in to sleep and opened the door a crack, there they all were!)