Chicken Nugget Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 I've only had my eglu (and 3 hens) for a month or so now and I've noticed that they keep pooping in the nesting box. I had eggs for the first 3 days, but have had none since. I put a few handfulls of straw in the box for them to nest on but they seem to sleep in it and poop in it instead of laying eggs. I have to clean out the nesting box and replace the straw on a daily basis. I thought about putting a football in the box overnight to stop them sleeping in the box, but I'm worried that they might want to lay an egg before I get up in the morninig and move the ball. Any suggestions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 I just change my shredded paper every other day..... naughty girls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 Ours poo in the nest box too. I just give the eggs a good wash and change the straw once a week. If there's a large amount of poo, twice a week, but that's rare. My hens are fine and I don't worry too much about poo. It's something they do a lot of and they are used to it! You could always put less in the box and change in every other day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutechicky Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 I agree with Gina on this one. They have to be used to pooing all the time! I found that mine stopped after I left them for a while. Of course don't let it get too mucky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Nugget Posted July 25, 2007 Author Share Posted July 25, 2007 Thanks for the responses. I find that if I change the straw every other day then the nesting box and eglu is full of tiny flies. I've tried citronella, but it doesn't seem to deter the flies. Any suggestions for fly control?? Would it be safe to give the eglu a spray with fly spray when the hens are free ranging and ventilate it before they return?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 I have Hemcore/Aubiose in the nest box, and put an upside-down flowerpot in the nest overnight to stop them from sleeping and pooing in it. If they want to lay between 6pm and 6an, then they lay on the bars. It also helps to stop them going broody if they aren't on it overnight as the nest makes them hotter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 I have Hemcore/Aubiose in the nest box, and put an upside-down flowerpot in the nest overnight to stop them from sleeping and pooing in it. If they want to lay between 6pm and 6an, then they lay on the bars. It also helps to stop them going broody if they aren't on it overnight as the nest makes them hotter. i didn't know that about the nest making them hotter. Not had a broody yet, but it's only been 3 months! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 (edited) I don't think I'd risk using fly spray near the hens. Some one posted about a fly trap recently. ...Here... is the link. I've just had a rush of blood to my head and ordered one.....with a WaspTrap too. Edited July 26, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 I use Aubiose in the Nest Box & just pick out any poo that is in there in the morning. The Aubiose is absorbant, so it makes it really simple to keep the nest clean. If one of the hens decides that she is going to sleep in the nest,then I do the flowerpot trick like Clare for a week or 2,until they get the idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 I have Hemcore/Aubiose in the nest box, and put an upside-down flowerpot in the nest overnight to stop them from sleeping and pooing in it. If they want to lay between 6pm and 6an, then they lay on the bars. It also helps to stop them going broody if they aren't on it overnight as the nest makes them hotter. i didn't know that about the nest making them hotter. Not had a broody yet, but it's only been 3 months! Their temperature rises when they go broody (one reason why broodies are lice magnets), a bit like pregnant women. So being snuggly in the nest makes them even hotter, they need to have airflow all round them to cool them off; the broody cage as Choccy mentioned is great - I have used one to great effect. Lavinia is broody again, I'll give her a week, then pop her in it for 2 or 3 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debratugwell Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 I've only had my eglu (and 3 hens) for a month or so now and I've noticed that they keep pooping in the nesting box. I had eggs for the first 3 days, but have had none since. I put a few handfulls of straw in the box for them to nest on but they seem to sleep in it and poop in it instead of laying eggs. I have to clean out the nesting box and replace the straw on a daily basis. I thought about putting a football in the box overnight to stop them sleeping in the box, but I'm worried that they might want to lay an egg before I get up in the morninig and move the ball. Any suggestions Mine also poop and sleep in the nesting box but don't seem to mind laying their eggs their also. I just flick the poo between the slats each morning before they lay so that it looks a bit more "inviting" and refill the nest box when it looks a bit spartan and they've kicked all the Hemcore out!!!! Have to say they don't seem to care where they poop - what's that saying "don't s**t on your own doorstep" - my chickens don't seem to live by this philosophy!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutechicky Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 Most chickens love to eat flies! Whenever my chickens get a chance to catch a quick fly, they cluck at the chance! If the poo smells bad, this may be a different matter. We do love our garlic powder for that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
