The nest box is not a toilet!

[Mixedbirdies]

Ok. My chickens have gotten on my nerves a bit lately. I’m pretty sure that they think the nest box is a toilet! At night instead of roosting on the roost with all the others, one of them likes to roost on the front board of the nest box and get poop all over the eggs. I’m not sure how to get her to stop. Any suggestions?
(Top picture is the nest box, bottom is the roost.)

 

[CannedMonster]

View attachment 1610994 View attachment 1610993 Ok. My chickens have gotten on my nerves a bit lately. I’m pretty sure that they think the nest box is a toilet! At night instead of roosting on the roost with all the others, one of them likes to roost on the front board of the nest box and get poop all over the eggs. I’m not sure how to get her to stop. Any suggestions?
(Top picture is the nest box, bottom is the roost.)

Block the nest boxes off at night.
Unblock them during the day so they can lay in them.

 

[FeatherstoneFrm]

The roost bar might not be wide enough for her. A fatter limb might help

 

[andreanar]

Your roost bar needs to be higher than the nest boxes. They like to roost high. Also, it might help to use a 2x4 type board instead of a branch, so that they can cover their feet with their body in the cold weather. After raising your roost board, block off the nests at night until all birds are consistently roosting in the right place. Picture of a suitable roost board.

 

[50-45-1]

She may be bullied off the roosts by the others,
How many chickens on that roost at night?
I would rebuild my row of nest boxes, make them lower, remove that 2x4 that she loves to sit on. Build a slanted roof on top to darken nest and keep chickens from walking and roosting on top.
Replace the branch roost with a 2x4, i would put narrow edge up. It almost looks like there is room for a second roost behind the existing one. Elivate it up around 8 or 10 inches. They would love that.
I like the size of your coop, lots of room and possibilities for remodel.
Thanks for posting the pictures!

 

[CannedMonster]

The roost bar might not be wide enough for her. A fatter limb might help

Yes I agree.
Two inches in diameter seems to be the minimum for comfort.

 

[Mixedbirdies]

Yes I agree.
Two inches in diameter seems to be the minimum for comfort.

All the others seem to be ok with it though.

 

[Mixedbirdies]

Block the nest boxes off at night.
Unblock them during the day so they can lay in them.

I’ve thought about that. I just need to figure out a good way to do it.

 

[Acre4Me]

All the others seem to be ok with it though.

Might be bc hen roosting on nest box keeps them away, as it is sized for one, basically. It is nice, wide and flat and that hen may prefer it over the thinner roosts. Also, you may have some drafts that the hen is trying to get away from. In your pics, there are several spots where there are gaps and depending on where coop is situated, and where prevailing winds are coming from, this might be a reason. And lastly, if that hen is highest on pecking order - might be choosing the optimum spot and keeping others away. Maybe too many chickens for not enough roost space for their comfort, in particular if there is a hen that is very low on pecking order (can't get away from others).

 

[GC-Raptor]

Is the board in front of nest box higher than roost bars? They will roost whichever is higher and more comfortable. . Nest boxes in this coop are on the right. Bar for nests is lower and narrow. GC