Using nest boxes to roost

[Angelbear]

I have had my 3 girls 10 days now and they will not use the perches to roost on. Everyday when I go out in the morning the nest boxes are a pig-sty!

We have gone out after they have gone into the coop and settled, lift them out of the nest boxes and place them on the perches. I swear that before we have reached the house they are back in the nest boxes!

Has anyone got any ideas as we are very new to this and at the moment once they start laying we are going to have some very mucky eggs. Should I try blocking off the nest boxes some how for a few days?

 

[tulie13]

Quote:
Absolutely - we had our nest boxes blocked from the time they went into the coop until a few weeks ago, long enough for them to get used to roosting on the roosts. Now they have been open long enough as they got older for them to figure out "hey, there are these neat boxes here, I think I might go there and lay my eggs". It has worked perfectly!

 

[Angelbear]

Thank you so much for your quick reply and confirming that we are right to do this. I think I have a couple of clean plastic seed trays that should do the job nicely.

 

[Angelbear]

Job done and I was closely watched by the hen that I think has won the battle to be top hen.
I swear she was thinking, " Hmm you think thats going to stop us"!
I'm fairly certain they can't get into the nest boxes now, as the seed trays have fitted in quite snuggly.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Are the roosts higher than the nesting boxes? They like the highest spot.

 

[Angelbear]

Yes they are, I think they just like(d) all snuggling up in a box with lovely barley hay. One night I think 3 managed to get in one nest box...snug!