Nikipins Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 Hi I'm new to keeping chickens and got 3 warrens for my daughters birthday 3 weeks ago. The hens have settled well and seem happy in their coop and run. They came from a local farm but had not been well looked after and have had some problems already (worms, scaly legs etc). They seem to be responding to TLC but are yet to lay an egg. One thing that bothers me is that they want to sleep in the nest box. The coop I have has a small nest box attached to the side, it is only really big enough for one hen but at night they all try and pile in. Two of them usually end up sleeping in there one on top of the other! I try to encourage them back into the main coop and on to the roosting bar but they make a bee-line back to the nest box as soon as I shut the door. Their previous coop was overcrowded and I wonder if they have just got used to being squashed together and feel happier like this. Should I continue to try and get them to sleep on the roosting bar or give up and let them squash into the nesting box? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charly1979 Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 Im dont have any expert advice on this only to say that my girls often this or should I say did this in thier old house. But tonight I did have to do a bit of rearranging in the house as Marilyn was pretty much sat on Calarbel (who is still very tiny) Not 100% if Marilyn had done it on purpose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 When mine were young and doing this the advice I got was to block the nestbox off and encourage them to roost. Otherwise you will have dirty eggs when they do come!! Also it's probably better for their health to have air flowing around them too! You only need to block it off at night (leave it open in the day incase the start to lay!) and see how you go after awhile stop. I still block mine up as my pekins are always going broody!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikipins Posted December 16, 2012 Author Share Posted December 16, 2012 That sounds like a great idea. I'll have to cut a bit of wood to fit the hole tomorrow. I was worried about the chicken that was being sat on by the other one, but it didn't seem to bother her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suebee Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 Hi Nikipins, My girls have more than enough room, and still try to get underneath each other like a couple of overgrown chicks! I never have been able to get the daft girls to perch, but your ladies are of the type who would generally prefer to perch, and once you remove all other options, as mimi suggests, I expect you'll get your problem sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennydavies Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 My girls used to try to sleep in the nest box every night, so Charlie made a hinged door out of plywood that I can hook up during the day and then drop down early evening when the girls are getting ready to go to bed - it works a treat, I just hook it up in the morning when I go to wake them up. It keeps the nestboxes nice and clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 I wouldn't worry too much about it - my stance is if they want to sleep on the nest, I'd rather them have free choice to do what they want to do... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 In the Lisa-Marie and Paxo like to bagsy the nest boxes, they are nos 1 & 2 though and the others wouldn't test their luck. In the Bantie Shack they like to line up in the nest box facing into the coop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikipins Posted December 18, 2012 Author Share Posted December 18, 2012 Well the last 2 nights without any encouragement they have lined up nicely on their roosting bar and not squashed into the nest box. I think I will wait and see if it lasts before making a cover for the nest box opening. Perhaps they are still working out what to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suebee Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 That's fantastic! Their instinct to perch seems to be exceeding their instinct to cuddle like chicks... (like mine ) It's great that they've decided by themselves too... clever girls... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 please check 2 things... one that there is a secure lock on the nest box hatch, foxes known to just lift open lid and take chickens. second that the floor of said nest box is not removable. same thing on many wooden coops it is just an open invitation to supper; enjoy your girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikipins Posted December 20, 2012 Author Share Posted December 20, 2012 Well they seem to have cracked it and spent every night roosting. The coop is secure from Mr. Fox (I hope), its a plastic coop with a fixed floor and lock on the nesting box. Still waiting for an egg......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Great x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
