newlaidegg Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 It's like having your first child all over again I am obsessed with their toileting. However, one of them is sleeping in the nest box and I am cleaning poo out of the nest every morning. Is this something that I just have to deal with? I thought that chickens needed to roost and that they didn't sleep in the nest or am I just being naive? Thanks once again x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 Some people put a football or flowerpot in the nest at night to stop the poo problem. I used to but then decided that I didn't mind them sleeping in the nest-Rose has now started laying before 6.30am and lays her egg in the poo I might go back to putting something in the nest at night too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 I put a plant pot in the nest box once they have laid. When i tuck them in, once its dark, i remove the flower pot and they tend not to go back into the nest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layla Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 It's like having your first child all over again I am obsessed with their toileting. However, one of them is sleeping in the nest box and I am cleaning poo out of the nest every morning. Is this something that I just have to deal with? I thought that chickens needed to roost and that they didn't sleep in the nest or am I just being naive? Thanks once again x I have the same problem but with two I also have automatic door so i don't have to put mine to bed so they sort themselves out.I also have been getting a soft egg and one of them is sitting on that soyour not on your own! Hugs Layla x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 Christian's tip about the flowerpot worked for me - I took it out after they'd gone to bed, so the nest box was free for the morning. I only needed to do it for about three nights, and it worked like a charm! Thanks Christian. It is nice not to have to keep cleaning the eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 I think I need to try some of these tactics - my two moulters currently hog the nest box at night, so I'm getting some very pooey eggs Gonna have to give them the heave ho I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 I only needed to do it for about three nights, and it worked like a charm! Thanks Christian. It is nice not to have to keep cleaning the eggs Thanks Olly A warning though, they soon learn to sneak back in after a couple of weeks, so you have to do in every now and then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 My Light Sussex often sleeps in the nest box, but because we have 4 chooks in there and she is by far the biggest I feel that is something that I have to put up with. I line the nest box with wood shavings and then sweep them out into the tray underneath or just pick bits out is it's not too bad. For the last two mornings there has been a Pepperpot egg at 7am when I have let them out so some shuffling must go on at dawn but they seem to manage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newlaidegg Posted November 6, 2007 Author Share Posted November 6, 2007 Thanks for all your replies. I planned on starting tonight but by the time I went out to place the flowerpot they had all shot indoors, the little blighters! BUT my warren, Ginger laid her first egg today. I actually know that it was her because it was surrounded by downy ginger feathers! HURRAH! It really is exciting isn't it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 It really is exciting isn't it! Congratulations. The feeling never changes, its lovely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layla Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 Went and checked all my girls were in and found all five squashed into the nesting box! there's only enough room for three.I'm not sure wether they are scared of the fireworks or just cold. Hugs Layla Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeman Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 My girls always sleep in the same spot each night. Valerie always takes the nest box, she is normally the second or 3rd to go to bed. Pheobie is the top hen and always goes to bed first. She secures her space which is the middle of the perching area. She has always been an early to bed girl. Flo who seems to be at the bottom and quite younger in appearance sleeps between the two girls in the corner. It must be the warmest spot. some times she rests her head on Vals back. I would not like to stop any of them sleeping where they wanted, I usually was the eggs if theres any pooh on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I use Hemcore in the nest and just scoop the poos out in the morning before they lay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I put shredded newspaper in the nest box, and just clean it out every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChookieCaz Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 At the moment, I haven't got any eggs to wash Our hens are allowed to sleep anywhere in the Eglu and Cube. I think that putting some newspaper in to make it more comfortable may encourage them to sleep there - Our two new ladies in the Cube were snuggled up. Lizzie was in the nesting box in the Eglu this evening, but normally she and Henrietta are at the back, furthest from the door. I've left their door slightly ajar so that they can push their way out in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 we have a wooden coop with 3 seperate next boxes, I've never peeped in when they've gone to bed to see where they roost but I did tonight and 3 of them were cosied up, 1 in each nest box- not sure where the 4th was. It's a large coop with 2 perches, a low one and a high one so they have tons of room. With them being ex-batts I let them do what they want within reason so if that's where they want to sleep, I don't mind- we scoop the poop out every day or every other day anyway. I haven't the heart to move them, I want them to be as comfortable as possible and if that's where they choose to lay their heads (as well as their eggs) so be it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
