sleeping invthe nest boxes.

[Hollibee1982]

We kept our nesting boxes blocked in the evening for about two weeks. Then one night we were late getting out there but they were all on the roost. We have not blocked the nests since. Our nesting boxes are on ground level with the roost about 18-20 inches of the floor in the opposite side. They are doing real well now.

 

[11chick11]

Ok, so do I give the hens access to nesting box during the day?

 

[aljeffers]

I rearranged my nest boxes and made curtains; my hens now sleep on the roost at night. No more dirty next boxes

 

[Hollibee1982]

Yes. . They need access during the day and will only go there to lay. . . Not sleep.

 

[aljeffers]

That's what happened; they no longer sleep in the boxes. I have caught my Silver Lace Polish girl sleeping in the boxes a couple of times but I think it's because the bigger girls pull her feathers so much she just moves.

 

[MyPetNugget]

I have the same problem too. I blocked it off about 2 or 3 months ago. When I put them on the roosting bars at night they just flap their wings and run away. Right now they are sleeping on the floor and the only problem I have with this is that they always sleep perched right in front of the vent (next to the door to the run). And at night when I go to close it, it won't fully close because of the mess.

They are almost at the age to be laying (23 weeks). Any help would REALLY be appreciated.

 

[StephC28]

How do you know when they are about to lay eggs? Do they show signs or readiness?

 

[sbhkma]

You'll notice their combs getting redder. When you walk by them and talk to them they'll squat down low-sometimes almost flat to the ground. Those are the 2 most obvious signs. Often they'll start practicing the egg song for a week or so before they start laying.

 

[Longshot]

My chickens have been laying for a couple of years now and last night I went to collect eggs and my RI Red was sleeping in nesting box for the first time-usually they sleep outside on the roost, lately they have been going inside to the other roost. Should I stop her from sleeping in nest?

 

[chic05]

I read on here to put some curtains up where the nest boxes are for privacy. I did that and it's working. They don't seem to sleep in there anymore and only lay in there .