I have some chickens roosting in the nest boxes at night. They have plenty of roosts and floor space. I have had to cover them up at night, then uncover them in the mornings, this is such a pain and a little gross. I just can't seem to get them to stop. Any ideas??? Thanks, Tana

-- Tana Cothran (tana@getgoin.net), September 09, 2001

Answers

Tana, why do you cover them up? I have always had some hens roost in the nest boxes, which I don't mind, except they poop in there, makes for dirty eggs! They like to sleep where they feel secure.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), September 09, 2001.

I cover them up because if I don't I have to compleatly change the hay in them every morning. Hay is scarce here. It is more than just a little dirty eggs, if I don't cover the boxes or change the hay the eggs are unfit for any thing but the pigs. I have about 10 - 12 chickens roosting on and in three boxes and the poop is thick, plus I seem to get fewer eggs in dirty nests than clean ones. Tana

-- Tana Cothran (tana@getgoin.net), September 09, 2001.

Tana, are they young hens? I had the same problem last year when mine were young. But after they starting laying on a regular basis they quit roosting on the nest boxes. This year I'm going through the same problem with my new set of young hens. I'm hoping they will stop once they start laying.

-- r.h. in okla. (rhays@sstelco.com), September 10, 2001.

Try using the baled pine shavings in the nest boxes instead of the hay, Wal-mart carries baled pine shavings in the pet section, and they are pretty cheap, and last way longer than the hay, and more absorbant to boot!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), September 10, 2001.

Tana, I have raised chickens for years and too lazy to cover the nest boxes but usually they only roost in one. Since you are going out and covering the boxes anyway, why not gently pick up the chickens and put them on the roost? You might have to wait til it is really dark or they will just go back to the nest box as soon as you leave. Let me know if you try this and it works and I will try it too! Oh you will have to do it for at least a week since chickens aren't the Einstein's of the poultry world. good luck

-- Karen in Kansas (kansasgoats@iwon.com), September 10, 2001.

Yes, it is some of the young ones, 2 of which (males) are going to be taken care of this evening. And I have tried moving them to the roosts, it didn't help. Thanks, Tana

-- Tana Cothran (tana@getgoin.net), September 10, 2001.