Will chickens poop in their nests?

[mamichi]

Our BOs are right about the laying age and we've put some nests in their coop. At first I couldn't see that they were entering the nests. Then one day I saw the litter was rearranged and thought "good"

. Then nothing for a few days, and then one day poop! So, I'm wondering- will they poop in there as long as they're not laying, or will they continue to poop in their regardless of laying?

TIA,

M

 

[b.hromada]

Yes, they do. Not always, but every once in a while, I will find a "poo".

 

[Carobean]

I, on the other hand, have not found any poop in the nest boxes from my 4 gals, other than the occasional bit that rolls down from above. I would imagine they have an interest in keeping the nesting area clean, but don't have any scientific data on this.

 

[The Zoo]

I find poo all the time - bleah! I always make sure the boxes are clean each morning.

 

[hikerchick]

chickens will poop anywhere, anytime.

 

[NGT ANGL]

Yup - they poo in their nests!

 

[barred-rocks-rock]

they will always poop in their nests. you just have to wash the eggs every now and then

 

[Eggie and Me]

lovely, when I saw this thread I was hoping for some pearls of wisdom. Our gals ALL sleep in one large nesting box. Mind you there are more than enough boxes for everyone and then some...

They've been together since they were 2 days old and they do everything together. Just wish they didn't ALL poo in their box... YUK!!!

Guess that's just the way it is, they are all super happy and super super friendly so guess that's my trade off...

 

[greenmulberry]

Don't let them sleep in the nest box, it is a bad habit because of the poop issue.

Check on them after dark and kick them out of the nest, every night, until they get it. You might even want to put something in the nest to keep them out overnight until they relearn where to sleep. Make sure they have plenty of high roosts to get on too.

 

[Marlinchaser]

Quote:
Agreed, if you let them sleep in the box that is where they will poop overnight. Break that habit now or you will always be washing poopy eggs.