why aren't they laying and why do they roost in nesting boxes???

[sbot69]

Hello been on forum for awhile, but this is first post. Being raising layers for about 3.5 years now. Never really had any problems till about 3 months ago everyone quite laying. I do have 2 roosters, one from original purchase spring of 2010 and one from last springs purchase, and 14 hens. They have a 40ft x 20ft run and an indoor coop about 8x10x8. 3 nesting boxes and 4 perch poles in coop. Also cannot keep them from roosting overnight in nesting boxes. All help is greatly appreciated, and thank you in advance.

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

Are they in molt?
Some breeds will stop laying in the Winter. It is a natural 'break' in their cycle. They will begin laying again when the daylight increases.

As for roosting in the nesting boxes, if this is a new occurance, my guess would be that they are warmer. You said you had poles as roosts. A chicken will cover their feet when it is cold to keep them warm, if their feet are wrapped around a pole they cannot warm them. Most people will suggest a 2X4 with the wide side up so that they can cover their feet while still roosting comfortably. It may take a bit of work to break them now. Probably a few nights of moving them from teh boxes to a new roost!

 

[sbot69]

Are they in molt?
Some breeds will stop laying in the Winter. It is a natural 'break' in their cycle. They will begin laying again when the daylight increases.

As for roosting in the nesting boxes, if this is a new occurance, my guess would be that they are warmer. You said you had poles as roosts. A chicken will cover their feet when it is cold to keep them warm, if their feet are wrapped around a pole they cannot warm them. Most people will suggest a 2X4 with the wide side up so that they can cover their feet while still roosting comfortably. It may take a bit of work to break them now. Probably a few nights of moving them from teh boxes to a new roost!

great suggestion on the poles to 2x4,s i will try it. NO they have been roosting in boxes since the first group. As far as molting they stopped laying way back in september not a single egg in 3-4 months. have experienced molting before in winter but nothing this extreme. thanks again.