They ALL want to sleep in the Nest Box

[Booswalia]

I only have one nest box and all three of my girls were crammed in there sleeping when I had a look about an hour ago. I moved them all to the roost.
Chickens are funny.

I wonder if I should close the windows. They might be going in there because it's warmer.

 

[Dixiedoodle]

I had four teenage chickens in one nest box and it was almost 100*, I thought it was more for securitly than warmth. After two days of removing them and placing them on the roost, they got the message!! Every few days, I find one of my girls perched on the board in front of the nest boxes.. It's not always the same one, so I don't worry about it too much..

 

[gritsar]

It takes at least several nights of going into the coop after dark and moving them to the roosts for them to get the idea.
Are your roosts higher than your nestboxes?

 

[AK Michelle]

Should the roosts be higher than the boxes? I never see anyone in any of our nest boxes but I can tell they've been in them. Maybe they'll leave me a present soon...

 

[vnploveschickens]

Be patient. I had 5 youngin's that slept in 2 of 4 nesting boxes! It was so funny to see them trying to get comfy.

But in about 3 weeks, they all started roosting on their own.

Leave your windows open for good ventilation...

 

[clayhill]

Hey Boos,

My Barred Rocks started sleeping in the nest boxes right off. I hung an old towel over the boxes for a few weeks and they immediately went to their roosts and have been sleeping there since. You might try this until they get the idea.

 

[Booswalia]

Yes, I like the towel idea. I may try that tomorrow.

My roost is higher than the nest box but not by much... maybe 8 inches.