ca1rstine Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Hi I'm new to this chicken-keeping lark but was wondering if anyone could give me some advice. My hens all sleep in the nest box. Does this matter? Can I stop them? Thank you Cairstine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 I have 4 girls that sleep in the cube nesting box and one in the entrance, I dont stop them as it doesn't bother me to clean it out more frequently however you could block off the nest box area at night and open it again in the morning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Welcome to the forum . No, it doesn't really matter . It just makes a bit more work scooping poop out of the nestbox so you don't get poopy eggs . You may find they change the habit anyway. Mine sometimes sleep in it, sometimes don't! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 I've given up trying to stop mine. The pekins and the Orp all sleep together in one nesting box and poop abundantly! I just have to clean it out very regularly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ca1rstine Posted February 27, 2010 Author Share Posted February 27, 2010 Thanks for the advice. I don't mind cleaning the nest box out. I had just read some posts that said eggs can get broken if they all sleep in the nest box and that this can lead to egg eating etc etc etc One thing I have learned since getting the hens is that there are an awful lot of doom-mongers out there. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 My 4 do too and look so cosy and snug all huddled together. Sometimes though just the 3 of them go in and the 4th (normally Peckish or Tikka) stand in the entrance and supervise rather sleepily! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porkypie Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Two of mine regularly go in there to sleep so I go out each night and turf them out when I'm shutting their pophole - once is enough and they don't go back in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 All mine have tended to do this when young, but when they atarted laying grew out of it - it might be an age thing. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 If it bothers you-slip a football in there at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cats and Chickens Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Mine did this when young and for several weeks I took them out and put them on the roosting bars once they'd gone to sleep. Eventually I stopped as it was making no difference. Then as they came into lay they stopped sleeping in the nesting box for themselves. So you may find they grow out of it, but actually it doesn't matter, but you will have to poo pick the nesting box every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 I have given up on roosting bars. i leave one by the door if there IS a prospective percher there is room there and they often would perch on on the side of the nest box! Only takes a few minutes to poo pick when you open up ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenNutter Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 I just put up with poopy eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Mine did it until they started laying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 I have an ex batt who has retired from egg laying and now she is sleeping in the nesting box I reckon she thinks that she has no use for it for eggs, she may as well sleep and poo in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
