Mia Patel
Chickens may choose to sleep in their nesting boxes, which can cause issues like dirty eggs, overcrowded nesting boxes, and soiled litter. This behaviour can be prevented by blocking access to the nesting boxes, removing the boxes from the coop, adding a new roost higher than the boxes, or manually placing each bird on the roost after dark. Additionally, placing fake eggs in the nesting boxes can encourage younger hens to lay there, and covering unwanted spots can redirect hens to the desired nesting areas. Proper integration methods should be followed to prevent bullying and ensure that new chickens learn the correct roosting habits from the rest of the flock.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken behaviour | Chickens naturally seek out a secure, high place to roost at night. |
| Chicken behaviour | Chickens tend to poop in their nesting boxes. |
| Chicken behaviour | Chickens like to lay eggs in clean, dry spaces. |
| Chicken behaviour | Chickens that are free-ranging may prefer laying eggs outside the coop. |
| Chicken behaviour | Chickens are drawn to lay their eggs in specific conditions. |
| Solution | Block access to the nest boxes. |
| Solution | Remove the nest boxes from the coop. |
| Solution | Add a new roost higher up than the highest nest box. |
| Solution | Lower the nest boxes. |
| Solution | Place a fake egg, golf ball or already laid egg in the nesting box. |
| Solution | Cover undesired spots. |
| Solution | Put up wire fencing. |
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What You'll Learn
Block access to the nest boxes
If you want to block access to the nest boxes, you can try the following methods:
- Place a board across the front of the nest boxes to prevent chickens from entering. This method is best done in the late afternoon, after the chickens have finished laying for the day.
- Remove the nest boxes from the coop entirely.
- Add a new roost that is higher than the nest boxes. Chickens are drawn to sleep in high places, so they will be more likely to choose a roost over a nest box if the roost is higher.
- If your nest boxes have foldable perches, fold them up to block access.
- Create a wire fence by nailing a single nail to each of the four corners of your row of boxes, then attaching a piece of wire fencing. This method can be easily removed each morning and put up again in the afternoon.
It is important to note that blocking access to the nest boxes may require some trial and error to find the most effective method for your chickens. Additionally, if your chickens do not willingly roost after being denied access to the nest boxes, you may need to manually place each bird on the roost after dark. This routine may need to be maintained for a few weeks until the chickens are trained to sleep on the roosts.
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Remove nest boxes from the coop
Keeping chickens can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. One common issue that chicken keepers face is keeping their feathered friends out of the nest boxes when they are not laying eggs. While some chickens may take to roosting easily, others may need a little more encouragement or training. Here are some detailed tips and tricks to keep chickens out of the nest boxes by removing the nest boxes from the coop:
Understand Chicken Roosting Behaviour
Chickens are creatures of habit and instinct. They naturally seek secure, high places to roost at night, as it makes them feel safe. If the nest boxes are higher than the designated roosting area, they will likely choose the nest boxes over the roosts. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the roosting area is positioned higher than the nest boxes. Additionally, chickens tend to feel more comfortable roosting on specific materials, such as branches or sanded boards, so make sure the roosting area is made of proper materials.
Block Access to Nest Boxes
If you are introducing new chickens, especially younger ones, to the coop, it is advisable to block access to the nest boxes during the day and night until they reach laying age. This will help train them to use the roosts instead of the nest boxes for sleeping. You can use various materials to block the boxes, such as cardboard or wire, but be aware that determined chickens may find a way around these obstacles. It is also important to remove the blockades first thing in the morning to allow the chickens to lay eggs during the day.
Provide Adequate Nest Boxes
Sometimes, chickens may resort to sleeping in nest boxes due to overcrowding or competition for space. It is recommended to have one nest box for every four to six hens. Additionally, ensure that the nest boxes are spacious enough for one chicken to sit comfortably but not so large that multiple chickens are tempted to squeeze in together, which can lead to broken eggs.
Maintain a Clean Coop
Chickens tend to associate their nesting areas with comfort and cleanliness. By keeping the coop and nest boxes clean, you can reduce the likelihood of chickens sleeping in dirty nest boxes. Regularly clean out soiled bedding, and consider using products like Coop Recuperate to keep the bedding dry and fresh, deterring pests and maintaining a pleasant environment for your chickens.
Train Chickens to Roost
If your chickens are consistently sleeping in the nest boxes, you may need to intervene and manually train them to sleep on the roosts. Each evening, after they have finished laying eggs, place each chicken on the roosts after dark. With consistency and time, most chickens will learn to roost on their own.
Remember, while removing nest boxes from the coop can be a strategy to prevent chickens from sleeping in them, it is also important to address the underlying causes of their behaviour. By understanding their natural instincts, providing adequate resources, and maintaining a clean environment, you can create a harmonious balance in your chicken coop.
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Add a new roost higher than the nest boxes
Chickens have a natural tendency to seek out the highest place they can access in the coop to roost at night. They look for a secure, high place to feel safe as they sleep. Therefore, if the nest boxes are higher than the roost, they will sleep in or on the nest boxes.
To prevent this, you can add a new roost that is higher than the nest boxes. This will encourage the chickens to choose the roost over the nest boxes at night. The new roost should be made of proper material and be wide enough for comfort. The height of the roost should be as high as your coop will allow.
If your chickens still do not willingly roost after being denied access to the nest boxes, you can manually place each bird on the new roost after dark. It may take a few weeks of this routine to train the chickens to sleep on the new roost, but it works for most.
Additionally, you can block off the nest boxes after the chickens have finished laying eggs for the day. Just be sure to remove the blockades first thing in the morning.
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Place chickens on the roost after dark
Chickens naturally seek out a secure, high place to roost at night. Roosting bars in their coop provide perching space above the floor of the coop, giving them a sense of security. However, chickens may sometimes roost in nesting boxes instead of their designated roosts. This can be due to various reasons, such as bullying, stress from moving to a new coop, or the presence of mites in their regular roosting spots.
To prevent chickens from roosting in nesting boxes, it is recommended to block access to the nesting boxes in the late afternoon or early evening, after the hens have finished laying their eggs for the day. This ensures that they cannot use the nesting boxes at night. The blockades should be removed first thing in the morning to allow the hens to access the nesting boxes for laying eggs. This method is particularly useful when introducing young pullets to a new coop, as they may seek out a dark and safe place to hide and roost.
If blocking access to the nesting boxes is not feasible or effective, another approach is to manually place each chicken on the roost after dark. This technique may require several weeks of consistent implementation to train the chickens effectively. It is important to note that some chickens may still refuse to use the designated roosts. Additionally, when removing chickens from the nesting boxes, it is recommended to be firm and abrupt, creating a slightly shocking and frightening experience to discourage them from returning to the nesting boxes.
It is worth noting that the height of the roosts also plays a role in where chickens choose to roost. Chickens tend to prefer roosting at the highest point available. Therefore, ensuring that the roosts are positioned higher than the nesting boxes can encourage chickens to roost in the designated spots.
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Use fake eggs to encourage laying in the boxes
Chickens are creatures of habit and prefer to lay their eggs in a designated spot. Using fake eggs in the nesting box is a great way to encourage laying in the boxes. This method is especially useful when introducing new birds to an existing flock, as it provides a sense of security and familiarity for your hens.
Fake eggs can be made from various materials, such as plastic, wood, or ceramic. Some people even use golf balls or already-laid eggs. The weight and size of the fake egg are important, as chickens may be less likely to lay their eggs in the boxes if the fake eggs are too lightweight or small. It's also a good idea to avoid bright colours, especially red or pink, as chickens are attracted to these colours and may peck at the fake eggs.
To use fake eggs effectively, place them in the nesting boxes before your chickens start laying. This signals to the chickens that the boxes are safe spots for laying eggs. If you have multiple hens, you can use fake eggs as decoys in unused nesting boxes, encouraging hens to use those boxes as well. This helps to prevent "communal nesting," where multiple hens lay eggs in the same box, causing overcrowding and stress for the hens.
In addition to encouraging laying in the boxes, fake eggs can also help prevent egg eating. When hens develop a habit of pecking and consuming their own eggs, it can be challenging to break this behaviour. By introducing fake eggs, hens will peck at them and realise they are not edible, eventually losing interest in pecking at real eggs.
Overall, using fake eggs is a simple and effective way to encourage your chickens to lay their eggs in the nesting boxes, providing a clean and stress-free environment for both you and your feathered friends.
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Frequently asked questions
Block access to the nest boxes after 3 pm or before dusk. You can use a piece of cardboard, wire fencing or a board to do this.
Make sure the roosts in the coop are higher than the nest boxes. Chickens like to sleep as high up as possible.
If the chickens do not roost willingly, manually place each bird on the roost after dark. It may take a few weeks of this routine but it works for most.
Remove the nest boxes from the coop. Wash them and leave them outside for a few days.
Place a fake egg, golf ball or an already laid egg in the nesting box. This will encourage younger hens to lay there.
