AndyRoo Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 Hello It looks like all our hens have started sleeping in the nest box for no apparent reason. Is there anyway of training them out of it? Other than just blocking off the box, that is? We're wondering if they have started doing it because they're too cold. Thanks, Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmalou Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 I know younger hens may choose to sleep in nest boxes to avoid sleeping with older hens on the roosting pole. I also know that if the nest boxes are higher than the roosting poles then that may explain it? I would suggest trying to block off the nest area until they are used to sleeping on the roosting poles? I presume you mean sleeping in them during the night as opposed to daytime?? I am also experiencing our first winter with hens so am also a little concerned over the cold.mWe are due snow here in France tomorrow so have been out sealing drafts in the hen house just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted November 7, 2016 Author Share Posted November 7, 2016 I know younger hens may choose to sleep in nest boxes to avoid sleeping with older hens on the roosting pole. I also know that if the nest boxes are higher than the roosting poles then that may explain it? I would suggest trying to block off the nest area until they are used to sleeping on the roosting poles? I presume you mean sleeping in them during the night as opposed to daytime??I am also experiencing our first winter with hens so am also a little concerned over the cold.mWe are due snow here in France tomorrow so have been out sealing drafts in the hen house just in case. We have an Eglu cube, so the nest box and the roosting bars are at the same level and are right next door to each other. For the first week they all slept together on the roosting bars, now at least one of them has moved to the nesting box and I am not sure why. I suppose I could buy a bit of plastic and close it off altogether, I was just reluctant to do that in case they wanted to lay early in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmalou Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 Well I am not sure of other peoples experiences with an Eglu. Our roosting bars are in a completely separate section to the nest boxes and they are higher than the nest boxes.Shame you cannot close off the nest boxes as this may help? Not familiar with Eglus. Someone did say to me once that our toosting poles may have been too narrow a diameter?? I did replace them with larger ones to help the, when roosting. Not sure if that would of helped or not but with an Eglu it should be geared up to solve any issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 I have just turfed 2 of mine out of the egg box and into the main bedroom with the others. I know they've been sleeping in there at night for a while ( lots of feathers moulted ) but now it's got cold I want them all in together. Just keep popping them back where they should be each night. They will soon get the hang of it. Don't do it straight after they have gone to bed though, otherwise they will head straight back in there when they think you are not looking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 Or stick a big upturned pot in the nesting boxes to prevent them from getting in. Do remember to take them out in the morning. Unlike me... can just imagine all the swearing and grumbling of the hens trying to lay an egg... Not that I have had any eggs lately... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 My silkies sleep in nest box. I tend to leave them to it and pooh pick in morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 If you have a cube, then the smallest size tub trug fits nicely in that round hole to block it off over night. Best to stop them sleeping in there - apart from fouling the nest, it will make them too warm and encourage mites/lice; they need air circulation around their nethers to keep healthy - as if they were sleeping on a branch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 I do the same as Gradmashazzie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
