auntielizzie Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Ive just been reading some old posts about sleeping in the nestbox, but it seems to be more common in new hens and mine are two and three and a half years old. For the last week they have taken to sleeping in the nest box - four of them. I cant see any sign of red mite in the house but I cant work out why they would be doing this at their age Ay ideas? Im going to have to try and put a stop to it as obviously they are pooing in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Mine are doing exactly the same. I've got 3 seperate coops and they all do it. I think the only thing you can do is put something like an upside down plant pot in there. I just leave mine to it and clean up after Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 One of my girls sleeps in the nest box every now and then, only ever Alana,occasionally she will slip off to the comfort of bed a good half an hour before the others.....silly girl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 My 4 girls have a coup that will hold at least 10 chucks and they have two nest boxes. They all sleep in the nest boxes and tonight there was 3 in one all piled on top of each other. I have given up I just pick the poop each morning knowing they are making their own choices . Jackie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Mine have always done it. Three coops and it is the most bagged spot. I leave them to it and just change that part more frequently. As I have never shut their coop doors I imagine it's the toastiest spot for sleeping and much coveted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 'Because they can!' Seriously though - this will result in a soiled nest box, and an increased risk of the getting lice and mites, as they get hotter and there's less airflow around their nethers. I turf off and bed blockers and pop a trug in the pop hole of an evening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acw295 Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 My 4 Pekins do it - all squished up in one box, but not the one they lay in fortunately. I just poo pick daily. Hoping when they are bigger they will grow out of it, only had them since Oct 13 though so still young and only 2 in lay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auntielizzie Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share Posted March 20, 2014 Well, apart from the odd evening when I've been in a hurry closing the pophole at bedtime, I have been moving Bessie and Mrs Beaky from the nest boxes every night and putting them on the roosting bars. Mrs Beaky got the hint quite quickly and stopped going into the nestbox at night, but Bessie has been more resistant. Tonight however she too has finally got the hint and was nicely sitting on the roosting bars like a good girl They are sweet aren't they Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
