Emily Carter
There are several reasons why a chicken may stay in its nesting box. One reason could be that the chicken is broody, meaning it is exhibiting behaviour associated with preparing to hatch eggs, such as staying in the nesting box for extended periods of time. Another reason could be that the chicken feels safer in the nesting box due to its secure and dark environment. Additionally, external parasites such as mites may be bothering the chicken, causing it to seek refuge in the nesting box. In some cases, the chicken may simply have developed a habit of sleeping in the nesting box instead of its designated roosting area. To address this behaviour, it is recommended to investigate potential health issues, provide adequate roosting options, and encourage the chicken to return to its roosting area through various methods such as providing treats or separating it from the flock for a period of time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Broody | Hens that are broody may stay in the nesting box for hours and hours. Broody hens may also act moody or aggressive, refuse to eat, and stay cooped up all day. |
| Egg-bound | If the hen is egg-bound, it may be distressed and off its feed. |
| Parasites | Chickens may be sleeping in nesting boxes due to mites or other parasites. |
| Lack of roosting options | Chickens may sleep in nesting boxes if there are not enough roosting options. |
| Lack of training | Chickens may not know where to roost if they have not been properly trained. |
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What You'll Learn
Your chicken may be broody
There are several ways to break a broody hen and get her out of the coop. One method is to repeatedly remove the hen from the nesting box and place her with the rest of the chickens in the pen. You can also try blocking the specific nesting box she's staying in by nailing wood to the entrance and removing the nesting straw. Another method is to use a cage with a wire bottom, such as a dog or cat carrier with the bottom cut out and replaced with chicken wire. Place the hen in the cage for around three days, making sure it's somewhere with lots of natural daylight. After three days, let her out and observe whether she returns to the nesting box or socializes with the rest of the flock. If she's still broody, place her back in the cage for another three days.
If you intend for your hen to hatch some eggs, you can buy fertilized eggs at a hatchery and place them in the nest under your hen. Leave her on the nest while the chicks hatch.
If your hen is not broody, there may be other reasons for her behaviour. For example, she may be egg-bound, which can cause distress and a loss of appetite.
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Your chicken may be egg-bound
Symptoms of egg binding include excessive time spent in the nest box, tail pumping (repetitive tail bobbing), failure to produce eggs, apparent straining, and a sudden onset of these symptoms. To assess whether your hen is egg-bound, you can gently feel on either side of her vent or carefully insert a lubricated finger into her vent to feel for an egg.
If you suspect your hen is egg-bound, it is important to seek veterinary help, especially if she is showing signs of distress. In the meantime, you can provide nutritional support by offering calcium-rich foods and ensuring she has access to food and water. Warm water soaks and gentle massages may also help the hen pass the egg.
It is important to note that a hen who has survived egg binding may be more prone to reproductive issues and future cases of egg binding. Preventative measures include providing a properly formulated layer feed, ensuring a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy laying schedule.
While it may be tempting to try and treat this condition at home, it is always best to seek professional veterinary advice to ensure the safety and well-being of your chicken.
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Your chicken may be hatching eggs
If your chicken is broody, this could explain why she is spending so much time in the nesting box. It's important to note that chickens can be broody without any eggs to sit on. Some chickens have even tried to hatch rocks! If your chicken is sitting on fake eggs, she may be content to remain broody for a while.
To determine if your chicken is broody, look for other tell-tale signs of broodiness. These may include moodiness, aggression, refusing to eat, or staying cooped up all day. If you suspect your chicken is broody, but you don't want her to hatch eggs, there are some simple and humane tricks to help break a broody hen and get her out of the coop.
One method is to keep her locked out of the coop during the day so she can't get to the nest. You can also try luring her out of the coop with treats. If she spends too much time in the nest, you may need to collect her eggs more frequently (at least once or twice a day).
It's important to note that being broody is a natural state for a chicken, and some owners choose to let their hens stay broody and hatch their eggs. If you're unsure whether to encourage or discourage broodiness in your chicken, consider seeking advice from an expert or experienced chicken keeper.
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Your chicken may be protecting itself from mites
Mites are nasty external parasites that can wreak havoc on your chicken's health and overall wellbeing. Northern fowl mites and red mites are two of the most common types of poultry mites. These tiny, eight-legged creatures can live both on the chicken and in the coop, including the nesting boxes. They feed on a chicken's feathers, skin, and blood, and can even lead to anemia, causing pale wattles and combs.
Mites are nocturnal and hide in the nooks and crannies of the coop during the day, making them difficult to spot. At night, they venture out to feed on the chicken's blood, particularly around the vent area. Signs of a mite infestation include scabs near the vent, eggs on the feathers and shafts, and dirty-looking feathers. Mites can also cause a chicken to become listless, experience a decrease in appetite, and lose weight.
If you suspect a mite infestation, there are several treatments available. Some people use food-grade diatomaceous earth or wood ashes to treat mite infestations. You can dust your flock, coop, and nesting boxes with food-grade diatomaceous earth, but be sure to cover your mouth and nose to avoid inhaling the dust. Pyrethrin Spray can be applied directly to the chicken, avoiding the face and eyes, and can also be used in the housing. Manna Pro's Poultry Protector can be applied directly to chickens without an egg or meat withdrawal period.
It is important to treat mite infestations vigorously and repeatedly, as they can be dangerous to your chicken's health. In addition to treating your chickens and coop, you can plant fresh pest-repelling herbs around the coop and run, or dry them for your nesting boxes. Regular inspections and vigilant observation will help limit the damage mites can inflict on your flock.
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Your chicken may be protecting itself from other hens
If your chicken is staying in the nesting box, it may be broody. Broody hens will generally stop laying once they've laid a clutch of eggs to sit on. If your hen is broody, it may take a week or 10 days for her to come out of it. You can also examine her cloaca area to see if it looks enlarged, engorged, or firm. If your hen is broody, you can try to lure her out of the nesting box with treats.
If your chicken is staying in the nesting box, it may also be protecting itself from other hens. If other hens are picking on your chicken, you can try fencing off a separate area for it. Make sure your chicken can't get out or back to the nest. After seven days, try letting it out. If it goes immediately back to the nest, pull it out and keep it in its new area for another three or four days, then try letting it out again. Do not leave it to itself until it ceases its dependence on the nest.
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Frequently asked questions
Your chicken may be broody. Broody hens will generally stop laying once they’ve laid a clutch of eggs to sit on.
Broody chickens act particularly moody or aggressive, refuse to eat, and stay cooped up all day.
You can try luring her out of the nesting box with treats. If this doesn't work, you can try removing her from the nesting box and blocking the entrance with a piece of wood.
Chickens instinctually look for a secure, high place to roost at night so that they feel safe as they sleep. Roosting bars in your chickens’ coop provide perching space above the floor of the coop and can prevent your chickens from sleeping in the nesting boxes.
