Unsecure chicken perches

[Sarattie]

My bantams are just turning 20 weeks so I'm hoping someday to het eggs

However since I bought the eglu the chuck the bedding out of the egg nest and then poo in it instead

 

I tried an upturned foowerpot - they sat ontop and poo fell into the nest area anyway

So now I have a football in it. BUT there is still poo gettin in it!

 

Do I just give up and put hay/ straw in and hope they get the idea at somepoint thatr it's a nest not a bed/ toilet?!

 

Help! Don't know jowls I'm going to get eggs if I have a bare nest hole full of poo!!

 

Thanks!!

[mimi5]

Hi there!!! I don't knoow what type of bantams you have but my pekin bantams didn't start to lay until late jan and I hatched this year and have "babies" of 30 wks who haven't laid yet and I expect they will do what their mums did and start in jan/feb next year.

 

Also last year I had my youngsters in a wooden coop and they insisted on sleep in the nest box and yes pooing in it too!!!!! I had to keep putting them in to the roosting bars (once i had found out that they shouldn't sleep in the nestbox....bad habit!) So I would persevere in what ever way you can to dicourage them from pooing in the nest or you'll get dirty eggs when they do come!!!

 

Any pics of your banties???

[Sarattie]

I'll persevere with the football and hope for eggs in the spring!

I have one Peking cross I think and 2 wyandottes

 

I'll upload a photo when I'm on my computer as I can't do it front my phone

[Sarattie]

For mimi 5

 

the chooks although this was about a month ago so they are bigger now!

Mrs Ginger think some sort of pekin cross?

 

and the wyandottes

[mimi5]

Yes maybe a serama x pekin? Do you have a cover for their run?? I should invest in one if you haven't already or it i'll end up a boggy mess. My cube run is covered in an assortment of different covers!!! All in attempts to keep it dry for the pekins and their feathery feet!!

 

They grow so quickly and when you look back at photos you can see the difference!! I hatched this year and bought some eggs from ebay. I got 3 out of 6 hatch and 2 were girls which I've kept and I re-homed the lovely buff boy. One the the girls-Martha has very odd tail, not quite a pekin bustle so I wonder if she has a bit of somrthing else in the mix? Shall have to post a photo and get the omleteers advice!!!

[Sarattie]

I do plan on getting a cover.

I was deciding between the half green one or full clear and think I'm going to het the clear one by general feedback!

[mimi5]

I have both the omlet ones and they are good and strong. The dark one is good for shade in the strong summer sun. The clear one is good for allowing in light but keeping out the rain...and letting you keep an eye on what your girls are getting up too!!!!

 

Don't forget to shout when you get your first egg!!! Molly laid it in the run!! I couldn't believe my eyes when i got home from work and went to put the chickens to bed....there laying in the run a beautiful white egg!!! It was mid jan!!! I text everyone in mt phonebook!! Took her a few days to figure out where to lay, I encouraged her by putting dummy eggs in the nestbox.

 

Today she's decided she broody again!!! Oh no!! The joys of chicken keeping....varied and many!!

[Sarattie]

I think I'm going to go for the clear one for now over this winter then invest in a summer one later

 

Can't wait for an egg! Been putting in dummies already in the hope that she decides to lay!!

 

Will get pics most definitely!!

[missusmac]

Hi Sarattie, I have a similar problem with my 3 bantams. They are a bit younger than yours at 17 weeks but only seem to sleep in the nest box of my eglu Go and yes, they poo all over it. I was wondering if I should put something in the nest box to discourage them or if they are still a bit small for roosting on the bars. No eggs from my lot yet but age and time of year against them I think.

 

I have bought the clear cover for the winter (the green one came with the Go anyway) and it has definitely helped keep the run drier. I'd recommend it.

[Cheeky Chooky]

I've used footballs, plant pots and trugs in my and nest areas...I just pick the poo out in the mornings now Oh and I only have Aubiose in the nests

[Sarattie]

Just awaiting delivery of my clear cover!!

 

I've given up with the football and poo flick in the mornings!! Lol