Luvachicken Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 My girls sleep in the nest box, they have done for a while, I know this is not good for the breastbones in younger girls but was wondering about mine as they are much older. Do I need to be cruel to be kind and make them sleep on the roosting bars ? It seems such a big space for 2 little Pekins to sleep in and keep warm, compared to the egg box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 Making them sleep on the roosting bars isn't cruel - it is more natural (think of birds being perched on a branch) they will get too hot in the nest box and attract lice and mites. Block it off and let them get on with it. If you have a mark 1 cube, then them smallest tub trug (the half height one) fits very well in the round opening between the roosting area and the nest box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted April 3, 2020 Author Share Posted April 3, 2020 I knew deep down, that's what you were going to say I will give the tub trug a try tonight and then take it out in the morning. It's not like I have to go to work at the moment, so it's not a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted April 17, 2020 Author Share Posted April 17, 2020 I'm just wondering how long it takes chickens to forget their habits ? The tub trug fits perfectly in the hole and does a good job. I don't mind doing it at all, but just wondered how long it will take, or will they just go back to their old ways no matter how long it is left there and I forget to do it one day ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 I’d just have a go and see what happens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted April 17, 2020 Author Share Posted April 17, 2020 3 minutes ago, mullethunter said: I’d just have a go and see what happens Well we didn't quite get it in in time the other day and Gemma was already in the nest box. As soon as the door was opened she quickly legged it back outside. I need to keep up with it I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 Oh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 18, 2020 Share Posted April 18, 2020 They'll use the opportunity to get in the nest box. I pop the trug in at the end of the day, heaving out any birds which are in the nest box. I take it out when I get up in the morning, if anyone's desperate to lay, they just lay on the roosting bars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 Well, last night I forgot to put the tub trug in 🙄 A while ago, hubby got me some spy cameras which we put in the egg box and in the roosting area and at night you can see quite clearly what is going on. That was when I saw I hadn't put the tub trug in, but then to my surprise, the camera showed them both snuggled up on the roosting bars and NOT in the egg box. I was very impressed with them for not taking advantage of the available space I will be putting it back tonight though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggysoldiers Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 Not on topic (although I am currently using a brick in the nest box of the classic to discourage sleeping)..... What are your spy cameras @Luvachicken they sound awesome!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted May 15, 2020 Author Share Posted May 15, 2020 On 5/12/2020 at 2:56 PM, eggysoldiers said: Not on topic (although I am currently using a brick in the nest box of the classic to discourage sleeping)..... What are your spy cameras @Luvachicken they sound awesome!! They are just bird box cameras 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
