This has just started happening. After several years (same hens) of flawless behavior, 2 of my hens have started overnighting in the nest boxes and leaving a terrible mess. I have tried going in after sundown, and moving them out, physically blocking the nest boxes until morning, but nothing seems to work. Same 2 hens, same potty behavior. Any advice? Many Thanks!
Hens soiling nest boxes
Depends? Sorry, I'm thinking -- let you know if I get any ideas...
Don't think I haven't thought of it.....
Are they cold, old, tired, or molting? Maybe it's a temporary get warm sort of behavior?
I have had young ones that go into the boxes but not willingly. Usually after getting kicked off the roost by bossy hens!
I am really not sure! It seems you have tried what I would recomend. Moving them after dark. Usually after a few nights and mornings of waking up on the roost they get the hint. Hmmm.
I will be watching for other suggestions in case I come across stubern hens!
Bad behaviour should never be rewarded: Chickens are not stupid as some seem to think. If you've raised chickens very long you have noticed how they come running to you when they hear your voice, or see you. Unfortunately it's not because they love you but rather have learned they depend on you for many things. Sometimes they need a good scolding and even a good swat. If you think they can't learn different behaviour, your wrong. Make their nest uncomfortable, along with the rest of their life and they will change their behaviour. Haystack. Good luck.
The only thing i can tell you is the others could be pushing them off the roost. My only advice is to block the nest so they can't get in them until the behavior stops.
I'm with Harmony on this one. I have a broody pullet that I'm trying to break, without the full on solitary confinement. Part of my regime is that each day after all have laid, block off the nesting box from access with some rabbit wire from the inside. It fits perfect in there and just for a bit more assurance that the stubborn girl won't push it over, I put a heavy can behind it to back it up. So try blocking it.
I had my girls roosting on the nesting boxes, so we had to put a "roof" so to speak over it. Even then, some would still poop in them -yuck! So................I put a piece of fleece over the top of the roof, coming down a few inches over the nesting box - my husband says it is their curtains. I say, it discourages them from just hanging around in there and pooping.
??
Don't know if that might help?
It has worked for me so far.
T.
my girls have been pooping in the nest boxes also. so much they have to be cleaned every other day
That is usual behaviour for my chickens. Since I wear gloves when I deal with them, I just take out the messes that they leave behind. When my most featherless bird would go to sleep, she would sleep in a nesting box with another bird infront of her to provide extra heat. There is really nothing wrong with chickens sleeping in them, you just have to clean them out. That's all.
We clean ours out daily also. There are a few boxes that they sleep in and make messes in and lay in the rest.
I guess I got spoiled to clean nest boxes. I have a heating pad that activates in colder weather, so I don't think they're cold. One thing that did occur to me though; these are larger chickens than the rest and not long ago, the perch bar came down to the distress of all the chickens. Now I am wondering if they were not slightly traumatized. I'll continue to block off the boxes at night after kicking them out. Hopefully, they'll get the hint sooner or later. Many Thanks,
Got a question for you catlindsey, do you get up before dawn comes about? If not, then I wouldn't block off their nesting boxes. I usually when it's normal temps get about 1 or 2 eggs early morning. BUT if you are an early bird, then your all set.
For the most part, I try and unblock nest boxes just at the light of day. Should I do this before then?
Yes, Chickens get up just as dawn is coming about. Sometimes they get up before dawn. And if they hear sounds before it's time, then their up when they hear it.
catlindsey,
I think you might be onto something with the traumatized thing. When we finished the coop for the girls I had this splendid idea to have a series of 3 roost-type-bar-things that led them up to the nesting box.
[Side note: I'd read somewhere that they would keep their feet cleaner and therefore their next boxes cleaner if they had perches they had to use to get into the boxes. ]
Anyway, I proudly constructed this myself and they hated it. It took me awhile to figure out that the bars kept spinning on them when they were trying to use my little invention. So now they hate it so much I just resolved to remove the whole darned thing and they just hop in the nesting box.
It is a sad sight to open up the back of your hen house and see hens valiantly trying to grasp and hang on to a fallen perch! Rolling perches, great idea for fat chickens! However, I like your idea of constructing nesting boxes higher up.
This has been hapenign to me and I just figured it out last night that my big fat barred rock Miss Priss(aptly named I assure you) has been pecking the other 2 americaunas off so she can spread out her fat little butt on the perch as much as she likes. I think my solution is going to be to build them a separate perch right next to hers. I know she cant take up both at once!
Maybe Ill give them the heat lamp and see how soon she changes her snotty baditude when shes all alone and cocld on her little perch. lol.
Oh and I dunno about the trauma thing. My first perch fell down one night and when I put it back up with a few reinforcements they had no problem hopping right back up there.
Interestingly enough, I have an Americauna that was added late to my little flock'o three, but she too has to have her own spot. the others peck her whenever they feel the urge.