Single hen

[fluffyknickers]

Got in from work and went and checked on my girls in their cube as they had taken themselves to bed (yay).

 

One of them was sleeping in the nest area - does it matter?

[Plum]

To begin with I kept moving the girls out of the nest area, then when we had really cold weather I put them in to keep cosy. It doesn't hurt but when they lay the eggs may get pooey. I just chuck the poo out each morning into the main bit. When I know its getting mild and not going to get horrid cold frost again I'll retrain them in the main part.

You can stop them going in with a trug or football in the hole.

 

Clever girls taking themselves to bed. Did you enjoy the slide down the ladder this morning?

[fluffyknickers]

I know I was really proud they all went in ok. Its so dark out and my torch is rubbish so I was worried in case I had left one out under the cube!

 

They arent laying yet and dont suppose they will for a while (next month hopefully).

 

I am not too worried about poohy egg shells I assume I can wipe them and gives them some authenticity!!!

 

I do worry they are cold - am I being soft?

 

Are they ok on just some bars or should it have straw all in there or something.

 

I am being a bit silly probably!

x

[Plum]

They are fine on the bars. Like you I was a bit soft The experts told me they were ok as they were

[quickcluck]

Hi M

 

They are fine on just the bars, they will sleep in a chicken pile I imagine... the cube is a good few degrees warmer inside than outside during the night.....

 

If you dont want them to sleep in the nest box block up the hole with a flower pot or something of a night, after a few days they will get the message!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I used to try to stop them sleeping in the nestbox because of all the poo in the morning . Now, I just use a scoop that I hang from the run beside the eglu to scoop all the poop out and into the poop tray.

[eggsplorer]

I tried the recommendation of a flower pot to discourage them. One of them just roosted on the pot LOL. (I tried the pot both ways up too). I then ended up with chicken poop on the pot and in part of the nest too. I've now gone the poop scoop route and changed from straw to Easibed, which makes the whole process much easier and quicker.

[Barkisland]

I just get my marigolds on in the morning

I am quite happy for my girls to get comfy anywhere they like. I have not found poo in the nest box to be a big issue to be honest.

[Plum]

I just get my marigolds on in the morning

 

I use my fingers

[fluffyknickers]

 

I bought new rubber gloves especially!

[Plum]

So did I - lilac ones with flowers on

[Woodcat]

i've given up on keeping ours out of the nesting box if they aren't allowed to sleep in it they puu all the straw out and make themselves a nest somwhere else... You can tell who rules the roost in our house It doesn't seem to do them any harm so....

[moomin]

I get poo in the nest box some mornings so guess they must be sleeping in there. I just flick the poo out if I haven't got my poo-glove on I don't mind as long as they are happy and comfy chickens

 

Got my babies coming tomorrow so will look forward to more of the same

[Phoebe]

I poo pick the nest box in the mornings too (with gloves ) but I found that once they started laying, they keep it cleaner themselves too - burying or flicking the poo out.

Its cleaner with shavings or auboise type stuff than paper too.

[Jaime]

I used to buy straw especially for the nestbox - it made me feel better and I thought the eggs looked better protected. In real life it doesnt seem to matter too much what is in there. I use Hemcore or Aubiose now - its much easier to keep clean.

[sandyhas3chucks]

 

I bought new rubber gloves especially!

Mine are blue extra strong cos the cheap ones disintegrated!

But am just wondering why you guys poop shovel onto the bars, as you are already thee wouldn't it make sense to just pick it out into a ready little compost receptacle?

Am I missing something?

[Barkisland]

 

I bought new rubber gloves especially!

 

Me too, lilac ones to tone with my purple cube and trugs

[Cooks]

I am looking for nice green ones..

[fluffyknickers]

This is all great - thanks.

 

I have put some newspaper in the nest area to over the slit (but looking at the milk carton thing!) and added a bit of everything at the moment ie paper shredded, aubiose and woodchip. Pooh isnt too bad at the moment but going off to pooh pick in a bit!!!

[sandyhas3chucks]

This is all great - thanks.

 

Pooh isnt too bad at the moment but going off to pooh pick in a bit!!!

we sure know how to have a good time

[Plum]

 

But am just wondering why you guys poop shovel onto the bars, as you are already thee wouldn't it make sense to just pick it out into a ready little compost receptacle?

Am I missing something?

 

I am just lazy. I throw poo through the door when poo picking the run as well. Then have to empty the tray. Yup just lazy. you know the expression!

[Stevie]

One of mine always sleeps in the nest bit of Eglu,but if thats whats she wants.