Sleeping in the nesting boxes...

[The3GoodFaries]

I have 3 Black Astrolop who are due to start laying in the next couple of weeks. We just finished their coop and moved them in 2 nights ago. This morning I opened the nesting box to find it full of poop. They have a roost, and it is higher then the nesting boxes, but they don't seem to be using it. I don't want poopy eggs, Any suggestions as to how to encourage them to use the roost or why they don't seem to like it?

 

[The3GoodFaries]

AHH Poopy!!

Flora, Fauna and Merriweather outside their new coop

Inside of coop

 

[jetdog]

Block off the boxes for a few days.

 

[Hokum Coco]

A stuffed feed bag with grass or what ever is handy to break hens of sleeping in their nest boxes. Stuffed feed bag and hen can not occupy the same space at the same time.

In my nest boxes I fold a feed bag to fit (nest boxes are 1 ft³). When a bag gets soiled; fold a new one; pop out the soiled; pop in the new.

Easy peasy!.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

When I have a tractor with broody birds that want to sleep in the nests I chuck them out then block the nests off every day after we have gathered the eggs. When I do the morning chores (about dawn this time of year) I open the nests back up. They'll take the hint after a while.

 

[Eggz]

On the picture you show the roost looks quite close to the top of the house. I don't know for sure but maybe you hens don't like banging their heads ??????

 

[KAMama]

We blocked off the nest boxes for a couple of weeks (prob didn't need to be that long). They started sleeping on the roost quickly, and now still do after the boxes have been open again.