Tricks on nesting boxes - ladies are sleeping in them

[Knoodles]

Why are my ladies sleeping in their nesting boxes? I have 8 golden comets and 4 reds. Could my coop be too small?

 

[nbenevento]

My first question is, are they laying yet? If not, take out or close off the nesting boxes. Next, is the roost big enough for all of them to fit on? If there is enough space for them, you can close of the boxes at dusk and open them at first light. Do that for a week or so and they should start sleeping on the roost.

 

[Knoodles]

They aren't laying yet. They are about 13 weeks old. Maybe I'm introducing the boxes too soon. They are open in the coop, so I will need to take them out. I am using plastic dish pans for the boxes. I have 3 in the coop now, but I'm sure I need to add at least 1 more. Feeling like my coop is too small. When I bought the pullets I got 12 thinking they all would not make it....well, they did, which makes me happy, but now I have this conundrum.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Also make sure the roost is higher than the boxes. They like to sleep at the highest point.

 

[Knoodles]

Yep. That could be the problem. They are about the same level. My coop is small and the roosts aren't high enough. I can lower the boxes a bit, but not much. Thank you both for your input!