matronmadge Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 I'm new to chickens and my 4 rangers have settled in well to their new cube. They are about 18-20 weeks old but they all insist in sleeping in the nesting box at night. They don't seem to use the roosting perches at all. Will they in the future? Does it matter where they sleep? Apart from this they are fine, eating well,scratching about, flapping their wings and sorting out the pecking order. My concern is that when they start laying the eggs will get broken. Any advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henergy Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 Mine did exactly the same thing. I decided I'd rather have them roosting as they used to poo in the nest box & make the eggs pooey !! So someone on here (sorry can't remeber who) suggested putting at night only a plant pot in hte nest area. They soon got the message & after a week I didn't need to put the pot in, they just roost naturally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matronmadge Posted May 9, 2011 Author Share Posted May 9, 2011 Did you take out the bedding and just replace it with a plant pot? Or did you block the pop hole with it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 With the Eglu, a plant pot (or a cardboard box/child's football) is big enough to fill the nesting box, which is not separated from the roosting bars. The Cube is different, as the nesting area is actually partitioned - I would just put some cardboard over the hole, or otherwise block it off. Just remember to remove it first thing in the morning so they can go in there to lay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
