Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[ElenaY]

Hi All,

 

I'm not entirely new here as had omlet hens and a classic 10 years ago. We've just got our new cube on Friday and 4 pure bred ladies (maran and 3 Sussex ). All seems to be well apart from the fact that I have to catch them every night and put into the cube. They leave it in the morning using the ladder with no issues but not showing any interest in entering cube at night. They just huddle under the cube. I've search the forum and found a few post re slippery ladders etc but not much more. I suppose I just want some reassurance that they eventually start climbing there by themselves. Also, I'm not sure if I should carry on posting them through the hole or just leave them as they are? We are away for 2 nights this weekend and the neighbour going to pop in and check on them but I can't really expect her to chase after them. What are your thoughts on that? How long did it take your chickens to start using the ladder?

Thank you very much in advance

 

Elena

[mullethunter]

If you do a search on this forum I think you'll find lots of posts on the topic

[ElenaY]

Thank you Mullethunter. As I said before I had searched the forum already. may be I'm not using the right words. All I need to know is do I keep putting them in at night or do I just trust their own instinct to find the best shelter?

Elena

[eve]

Hi think i read were some modified there cube ladder as the chickens didnt use it. Look on the wir and cube bit. Good luck

[Mars]

I would try some treats in the evening to encourage them to go up. but if where they sleep is safe I wouldn't push so hard. hens instinct is to roost in the highest place they can get so eventually they well go up.

[chooksRCute]

I put mine in through the pop hole for the first week and after that they got to trying themselves. I've had the cube for 3 months now & my hens still struggled going up the ladder, they slip and lose their balance several times before feeling steady enough to take a flying jump from the 1st rung, often flying into whoever is still standing in the doorway. In the day,The consequence being some lay their eggs under the cube rather than tackling the ladder.

This weekend after a spat of tree felling I decided to remove the ladder and now have 2 tree stump steps up. The girls were very curious from the off & now go in/out all day long & so far all eggs laid in the nestbox. They like to roost on them too being nosey little chooks!

[mollyripkim]

As I only have bantams we have covered the ladder with green plastic mesh which is also easy to clean. Also have a log at the bottom to help them.

[Chickabee]

I did pretty much the same as mollypimkrin. A bit of green mesh then a fake grass mat on top all secured with cable ties, and a log at the bottom

[ElenaY]

Thank you very much all for your replies. As ever a little bit of patience was the best solution. The girls climbed in all by themselves tonight. It wasn't even dark yet. I'm so relieved )

 

Elena