JM Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 I admit it - I've given into them... A few weeks ago, Winnie discovered the nest box is actually quite cosy to sleep in. Then over the next week or so, the other two cottoned on! So every evening, I go down to get the feeder etc and to say goodnight, and shoo them back into the roosting area (which they reluctantly go to while grumbling to themselves!). Last night, they all looked so comfortable all snuggled up together in the nest box, I didn't have the heart to shoo them out! They have won with sheer persistance! I don't know what made them change - they had all been quite happy in the main cube until then - and they started just before I got the plastic roosting bars, otherwise I may have thought it was the bars they didn't like J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Mine are the same, they cram into the nesting box, all six, on top of each other and I have been pushing them back through the hole into the cube. I feel so mean doing it. I need to know, is it really a no no for them to sleep in there? They will stay in the cube but I know that my neighbour will not move them when she has to feed them as she is sacred of chickens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bootscooter Nell Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Hi I have one set of wooden bars and one set of plastic which I alternate in the eglu. When the wooden ones are in no poos in the nest box but when the plastic ones are in always poo in the nesting box. Obviously one of mine doesn't like the plastic bars! Apparently if you put in an upside down flower pot in the nesting box it's supposed to stop them. I don't worry, they have shredded paper in the nesting box so I just put in fresh everyday and the soiled stuff goes in the compost bin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 I had one who always slept in the nest, once she died Matilda took over and looks most grumpy if I try to turf her out. So I don't. Only downside is that sometimes some of the eggs are a bit mucky but it all adds to the authenticity when we sell them! It doesn't matter at all if they sleep in there, it's only us that thinks they should roost on the bars! Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Kettle Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 After all, in the Eglu they can't roost at all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surferdog Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Apparently if you put in an upside down flower pot in the nesting box it's supposed to stop them. Doesn't stop Sylvie - she will quite happily spend all night perched on top of a flowerpot. I haul her out the egg port and pop her back in the main door. They then rearrange themselves to accommodate her with much grumbling and banging.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 After all, in the Eglu they can't roost at all... Eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 One of ours always sleeps in the nestbox every night and we've never bothered turfing them out. I don't think it really does any harm. Obviously you get a pooey nest but just have to regularly change it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM Posted August 11, 2008 Author Share Posted August 11, 2008 Well I can't really blame them - I'd choose the nest box filled with lovely comfy Aubiose over hard bars any day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Well I can't really blame them - I'd choose the nest box filled with lovely comfy Aubiose over hard bars any day! they're not the stupid creatures that some people try to suggest, after all they can choose the comfiest sleeping place.....and convince us that we should let them sleep right there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 One of mine tries to sleep in the nestbox and this is also the same bird which has a bad habit of going broody regulary so i have to stick a plant pot in it overnight then remove next morning to prevent her! Sitting in the nestbox seems to make her temperature go higher and then the envitable broody! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 I must be a really mean chicken mum - when Molly was broody I put a brick in the nestbox . They didn't sleep there then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM Posted August 12, 2008 Author Share Posted August 12, 2008 I must be a really mean chicken mum - when Molly was broody I put a brick in the nestbox . They didn't sleep there then! No - you are sensible!! I spent too much time at 6am morning (in the pouring rain) - removing poo from the nest box so that the eggs wouldn't get messy!! Mind you Daphne had already managed to lay an egg in the un-pooey part of the nest box! (I hasten to add that 6am is my normal getting up for work time - I didn't just get up that early to pick up poo!!) Maybe I will try the brick - but what is the betting that they just roost on that instead! J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 I gave in very early on and have had up to five of them crammed into the nestbox and one in the entrance, with the roosting bars sitting empty. On warm nights they seem to spread out a bit more, but there's nothing now will get top-hen Daisy out of her nice soft bed My spoiled little princesses have shredded paper in the netbox, so the poo-ey bits get removed in the morning and the rest gets fluffed up so it's all cosy for egg-laying. If the shells are very mucky, they get a wash, otherwise I don't worry too much as no one's eating the shell When it comes to a comparison between species of brain-size to manipulative ability, hens are right on up there with the best of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Mine lay where they want and sleep where they want. None of them read the same books as I do, telling them how they are supposed to behave. I gave up ages ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
