Wanted: POOPY POOP BOARD/TRAY Pictures

[Kiki]

@Kiki, about how many birds to you have?

I don't count them.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Do anybody else's chickens sleep IN the poop trays rather than on the roosts above the trays (like some of mine do)? A few of my rooster's groupies are so determined to be close to the roo that it seems they are content to sleep UNDER him if the roosting spots next to him are taken. Anybody else seeing this? Anything I can do about it? Before you ask, there is plenty of room elsewhere on the roosts, and yes, I have dug them out from under there and placed them in a clear area. Doesn't matter, they go right back like a junkie to her "fix."

 

[Kiki]

Do anybody else's chickens sleep IN the poop trays rather than on the roosts above the trays (like some of mine do)? A few of my rooster's groupies are so determined to be close to the roo that it seems they are content to sleep UNDER him if the roosting spots next to him are taken. Anybody else seeing this? Anything I can do about it? Before you ask, there is plenty of room elsewhere on the roosts, and yes, I have dug them out from under there and placed them in a clear area. Doesn't matter, they go right back like a junkie to her "fix."

Raise the poop trays up closer to the roost bars so they can't get under the roost bar.

 

[Iluveggers]

Nothing complex in my coop. Every morning I go in and scoop the area under the roost bar with a small shovel and hand broom. They generally poop in the same line, so takes about 5 minutes. Then I dump the bucket of poo with used shavings right in the run to break down. About once every two weeks I have to add a few scoops of shavings. Same idea as a poop board, I just pick it up off the floor instead, and all the waste will turn into compost in the run.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Do anybody else's chickens sleep IN the poop trays rather than on the roosts above the trays (like some of mine do)? A few of my rooster's groupies are so determined to be close to the roo that it seems they are content to sleep UNDER him if the roosting spots next to him are taken. Anybody else seeing this? Anything I can do about it? Before you ask, there is plenty of room elsewhere on the roosts, and yes, I have dug them out from under there and placed them in a clear area. Doesn't matter, they go right back like a junkie to her "fix."

A few of my birds do that as well, not by the roosters, but usually in or near the corners of the coop. I don't worry about it, honestly. As long as their poops are going into the tray, it works for me. They rarely get pooped on despite their chosen sleeping location, so I figure if they're happy, fine.

But if it's a problem for you, then try going out an hour or two later after it's quite dark and moving them. If it's dark enough, often they'll just park where they're left and not move until morning. And if you've already done that as well... I have no suggestions. Chickens can be ridiculously stubborn.

 

[aart]

Do anybody else's chickens sleep IN the poop trays rather than on the roosts above the trays (like some of mine do)? A few of my rooster's groupies are so determined to be close to the roo that it seems they are content to sleep UNDER him if the roosting spots next to him are taken. Anybody else seeing this? Anything I can do about it? Before you ask, there is plenty of room elsewhere on the roosts, and yes, I have dug them out from under there and placed them in a clear area. Doesn't matter, they go right back like a junkie to her "fix."

Yep.

A few of my birds do that as well, not by the roosters, but usually in or near the corners of the coop. I don't worry about it, honestly. As long as their poops are going into the tray, it works for me. They rarely get pooped on despite their chosen sleeping location, so I figure if they're happy, fine.

Ditto Dat^^^
I don't worry about it.
It can make them hard to grab at night for exams if needed.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Whew! Nice to know my chooks are fairly normal, guys, thanks! @Kiki: the roosts are already only 3" above the poop boards ... I don't think I can lower them much more and still be able to clean them very easily. Think I'll just let them sleep where they want, doesn't seem to be hurting anything.

 

[Chuckie chicken]

Do anybody else's chickens sleep IN the poop trays rather than on the roosts above the trays (like some of mine do)? A few of my rooster's groupies are so determined to be close to the roo that it seems they are content to sleep UNDER him if the roosting spots next to him are taken. Anybody else seeing this? Anything I can do about it? Before you ask, there is plenty of room elsewhere on the roosts, and yes, I have dug them out from under there and placed them in a clear area. Doesn't matter, they go right back like a junkie to her "fix."

Yeah, some of mine do, they like to sleep in two rows. I used to care, and tried putting them on the roost bars at night, but their stubbornness outlasted mine. It doesn't make any difference in my case, and actually leaves roosting space for more chickens , conserves stall fresh, and makes clean up a bit quicker. I actually raised the roost bars to keep the top ones from pecking the bottom ones. I used branches as roost bars until I raised them, then switched to a flat 2ish x 4ish bar.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Yeah, some of mine do, they like to sleep in two rows. I used to care, and tried putting them on the roost bars at night, but their stubbornness outlasted mine. It doesn't make any difference in my case, and actually leaves roosting space for more chickens , conserves stall fresh, and makes clean up a bit quicker. I actually raised the roost bars to keep the top ones from pecking the bottom ones. I used branches as roost bars until I raised them, then switched to a flat 2ish x 4ish bar. View attachment 3235398View attachment 3235399

Thank you for this perspective!

 

[MattDeL]

I recently switched things up in my coop - removing the store bought coop I had in here and adding this in the corner.

Then today I added a poop tray filled with the recycled coffee grounds.