sydbass Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 Hi - Ive had my girls for exactly one week and Rhianna laid us our first egg - unbelievably exciting. I think were going to have to share it tomorrow. However, as she's so pleased with herself, she has taken to roosting in the nest box at night having the comfy spot, while chickeera has to make do with the bars. Because of this, the nest box the next morning is full of poo. I dont have time to clear it all out before work and the eggs are going to get caked in the stuff. Is this normal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyChickenLover- Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 Chickens will naturally roost while they're asleep, that's why the bars are there It's normal for Chickeera to be sleeping there. Re the poo, I don't think there's much you can do. I have one messy chook who's eggs always managed to get dirty, all I do is wipe them before I take them in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sydbass Posted May 20, 2011 Author Share Posted May 20, 2011 Thanks for that - by the way I love the name Priscilla ! Our cat is named that - class Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyChickenLover- Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 Thanks We called her Priscilla because she (and her Brother, Elvis) rocked n' rolled as eggs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 Yes it's normal for them to sleep there, but it would be better for them to roost. When mine slept in the nest box, I put a plant pot upside down in the box so they were all forced to roost. When they were all sleepy and docile I took it out around 10.30pm so they could lay there in the morning. She soon got into the routine of roosting on the bars and laying in the nest box OH, and LCL I hope you post photos of your chicks when they hatch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henergy Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 Yes I did that too - I think it was you Sam who recommemded it. They soon got the hang of it. However, they seem to have gotten back into the habit of getting cosy in the nest box (very cute) so the plant pots will be in again tonight. It is the poo problem really as if you don't get out early and clean it you do get pooey eggs !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyChickenLover- Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 OH, and LCL I hope you post photos of your chicks when they hatch They hatched on Wednesday and Thursday. Okay Soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sydbass Posted May 21, 2011 Author Share Posted May 21, 2011 Top tip, thanks Sam. I'll try that tomorrow - I did remove the hatch last night and asked her politely to move, but she just looked at me indignantly. I forgive her though as she laid her second egg this morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teacake Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Myrtle sleeps in the nest box.... I have tried to move her and boy does she get cross.... I have tried putting things in there, but she just sleeps on them, or refuses to go to bed.... so far I have managed to flick out any mess first thing before eggs, but I keep hoping she'll learn about the bars... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henergy Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Ahh bless little Myrtle !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks76 Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Yes it's normal for them to sleep there, but it would be better for them to roost. When mine slept in the nest box, I put a plant pot upside down in the box so they were all forced to roost. When they were all sleepy and docile I took it out around 10.30pm so they could lay there in the morning. She soon got into the routine of roosting on the bars and laying in the nest box OH, and LCL I hope you post photos of your chicks when they hatch Why is better for them to roost than sleep in the nest box? I've got two sleeping in nest box! Amazing how they squeeze together. I can understand that sleeping there means they will mess up the straw but are there other reasons? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henergy Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 No its just the poo issue - if you dont get to clean it before the fisrt eggs if the day, you get pooey eggs !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henergy Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 PS your photos on flickr are lovely. Just followed you (as designsbyisis). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks76 Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 "Ooops, word censored!"ody wants pooey eggs. Cheers, impressed with your photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Sorry I didn't mean its better for their health, just means that you get cleaner eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks76 Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Yes I posted a bit early...don't think I read it properly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
