Solitary chicken - need advice

[Ham6506]

One of my 3 chickens (the boss) always wants to sleep in the nesting area rather than on the runs were the other 2 are.

 

She always picks on the other 2 during the day and was wondering whether she'll do the same if I force here out of the nesting area at night.

 

I understand that it is not good for them to sleep in the nesting area and they should only use it to lay.

 

Should I block the access between the runs and the nest when I first put them up for the night so she has to stay on the runs. And then unblock the access maybe an hour later...

 

Any thoughts?

[gavclojak]

She may very well give them a little dig when they all go to roost but once it's "lights out" they will soon settle down.

 

Some people are happy for their girls to sleep in the best box, I am not...it's bad form and not good manners and it's also messy. I would block it off and let her slum it with the other ladies

[mullethunter]

Me too.

 

(I thought this was going to be about you sleeping alone Ham6506 )

[Ham6506]

Thanks for that. I agree that in the long run it will be much better for them to sleep together.

 

I've blocked the hole with some cardboard and will remove it a couple of hours after I've closed the door for the night.

 

Do you put anything in the section of the Cube where the runs are or should that just be left bear with no bedding?

[mullethunter]

I don't put any bedding. The chickens don't need it and I find the trays easier to clean if they're bare - just seems a waste to use anything in them. My girls do have a wooden perch right across the Cube though - they don't like the roosting bars.