We have a design flaw in the coop we just built

[ronda1]

My husband and I built a coop over the weekend and i thought we did a good job until the young pullets started pooping in the best boxes. ...i just read the boxes should be lower than the roosts we put in. ..it's too late to change everything. .is there anything we can do?

 

[Hokum Coco]

i just read the boxes should be lower than the roosts we put in. .. .is there anything we can do?

You could take a feed bag and stuff it with grass to form a sort of pillow and stuff it into the nest boxes to prevent them from roosting their over night.

 

[feathersaloft]

I had never heard that. But I'm having similar problems with poopy nests.


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[ronda1]

We are going to try and relocate the nest boxes and if that's not plausible in trying the idea of stuffing bags in the nest.

 

[aart]

If at all possible, change the nests and roosts so roosts are higher than nests.....
......the bags are just a bandaid and you'll still have to clean the nests out every day to avoid poopy eggs.

Buddy of mine used to say...'fix it now or it will forever be f...f....f....funky'.

 

[ronda1]

Great news! We (and by we I mean my Mr) were able to lower the nest boxes and raise the roost...I think we have solved the poopy nest situation! I week know for sure tomorrow...YAY US!

 

[aart]

Great news! We (and by we I mean my Mr) were able to lower the nest boxes and raise the roost...I think we have solved the poopy nest situation! I week know for sure tomorrow...YAY US!

Yeah, Yay you!! Good Job!!
Kudos for realizing your mistake and fixing it!

You still may have to 'train' them to use roosts.
How old are your pullets?
If they are not near point of lay, just block off the nest boxes for now, until they are using the roosts habitually.

 

[ronda1]

They are just a few weeks old...according to the breeder they should begin to lay in late fall/early winter. I will block the nests off for the next few weeks.

 

[aart]

They are just a few weeks old...according to the breeder they should begin to lay in late fall/early winter. I will block the nests off for the next few weeks.

Oh, you've got lots of time then......
.....most chickens start laying between 18-24 weeks old, due to the time of year they may not start until after the winter solstice when the days become longer.

 

[ronda1]

I hope to get a few eggs before spring. ..lol..how disappointing to have to wait until spring!