Chicken bald back

[daisyisarobot]

Hello, I just went out to shut the girls in and 5 (yes, FIVE!) of them had packed themselves into nest box! I'm happy for them to sleep in there but it left the smallest hen in the main bit so I turfed them out.

 

Should I just remove the divide completely? Or is there another way (DIY) to divide up the cube? Being ex bats, they are not completely feather covered yet so I just want to find a better way to keep them all warm.

[libby22]

Hi

 

My ex-batts had real trouble with the roosting bars so headed straight for the nest box and there they stayed I just gave in in the end and now clean the nest box out each morning instead of the trays.

 

As you have quite a few in there, the good thing is they will have a nice amount of warm body heat overnight so even the one on her own should be quite toasty.

[The Dogmother]

The smallest size Tubtrug fits nicely in the round opening between the roosting area and nest box. Try to stop them roosting in the nest box as they will get over-warm and attract lice/red mites.

[daisyisarobot]

Thanks!

 

I feel awful turfing them out. They look so warm but it's for the greater good!

[daisyisarobot]

Ahh I give up! The nest box partition has been removed and the cube is now one big open space. Half sleep on the perches now facing the other 3 who still sleep in the nest box. Gawd bless them.

[libby22]

It is so difficult isn't it I had such a good system going when they were on the roosting bars - change the newspaper in the trays daily - knew where I was. But once the nesting box was taken over all went to pot. Now it is a case of clean the nest box every morning, add extra bedding every few days with a bit of diatom and empty the lot out every week and of course they have to stand in the nest box and help you clean it out

 

I think perhaps my life would be too easy without them

[The Dogmother]

Seemples... shut them out when you're cleaning and don't let them sleep in the nest box.

[daisyisarobot]

Two lay in the nest box before I get up - which is plenty early enough! And as only 2 are laying at the mo shutting them out seems a bit mean.

 

Happy for them to get their way this time... And I quite enjoy the company when cleaning! Luigi is particularly 'helpful' and very vocal about it.