Will they suffocate?

[amcstay]

Hello all,
I have 4 hens/pullets. They all insist on sleeping in the nesting box... the only way I can get them to stop is to block it off at night before they go in, but I don't always catch them in time to do that.

ANYWAY, it has gotten warm here at night (80s to 90s) with all 4 of them in the same box - literally squashed like sardines. Will they suffocate each other? Do I just need to consistently block off the box and be done with it, or will they eventually figure out it is nicer to roost?

Thanks.

 

[danielbrown]

Is the roost higher than the nest boxes?

 

[amcstay]

The nest box is slightly higher, but only by 1 inch at the most.....

 

[citrusdreams]

I think if they were uncomfortable, they wouldn't stay there. If they were mine, I'd let them stay there together. They won't suffocate. They're probably all nice a cozy and feel safe and secure together.

You didn't say how old the pellets are but I'm betting they'll outgrow it.

 

[amcstay]

The pullets are about 3.5 months old, and my hen is about 8 months old and still sleeps in the box....

 

[citrusdreams]

I still wouldn't disturb them if they were mine. They like where they're at, and they're not fighting. It should be fine

 

[amcstay]

Ok, thanks, I was just worried with it getting warm and all that they might inadvertently suffocate each other....

 

[gritsar]

The problem with letting them sleep in the nestboxes is that when they are all laying you'll end up with alot of poopy eggs. Block off the nestboxes when you can. Also, you may need to go in the coop every night for several nights and move them to the roosts. A penlight works great for this task because its enough light for you to see by, but not enough light for them to start moving around.
The longer they have the habit, the harder it is going to be to break. Break them now and trust me, you'll be glad you did.

 

[babsh]

Quote:
This is what I did (based on the suggestions of this group) and I'm glad I did. When they sleep in the boxes you end up with a mess. I went out each night at 'bed' time and removed the offenders from the nest box and placed them on the roost. I did this every night for maybe a week or two. That did the trick.

 

[kipper]

Raise the roost or lower the nest box. They will sleep in the highest place. Also, encouraging them to sleep in the nest box may cause sanitation issues and possible egg eating. i would block it off at night.