Keep tossing them out and put them on the roost at night. Eventually they'll get the message. Sounds like a pecking order problem and they are hiding. Just keep putting them on the roost. I would not let any sleep near the nest boxes.
From: "sidesaddle5@yahoo.com" <sidesaddle5@yahoo.com>
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2012 6:52 PM
Subject: [CHICKENS-101] roosting in nest boxes
Cathryn rainbowsilkiesTM Michigan
From: "sidesaddle5@yahoo.com" <sidesaddle5@yahoo.com>
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2012 6:52 PM
Subject: [CHICKENS-101] roosting in nest boxes
Any suggestions about how to break someone from spending all night in the nest boxes? I've still got the four (two cockerels and two pullets) who want to stay in the boxes for the night. There is plenty of room left on the perches--several days ago I did change the (favorite) top perch to a pole four feet longer to see if that would help.
The next evening I tossed the four unceremoniously out of the boxes; not so much poop next morning so I thought maybe they had gotten the idea. Last night, I checked after dark, and found all four--yes, FOUR--crammed into ONE box! Did another toss, and again the box wasn't so poopy in the morning. Tonight, I leaned a couple of sticks across the two boxes they've been using... Came back after dark to find one cockerel sitting precariously on the edge of the box (tail out, so at least the poop won't go in the box, maybe!) The rest were on the perches (with plenty of room left), so I left TTF ("Two Tail Feathers") alone, hoping he'd get uncomfortable and try the perch again.
I've now got two laying (fortunately they seem to like other boxes!) In time, though, with a probable 23 layers, I'll want all boxes clean and ready for laying--not all poopy from none-too-neat overnighters. Any suggestions??
Rhonda
Sidesaddle Hall of Famer
Five-time US National Sidesaddle Champion
The next evening I tossed the four unceremoniously out of the boxes; not so much poop next morning so I thought maybe they had gotten the idea. Last night, I checked after dark, and found all four--yes, FOUR--crammed into ONE box! Did another toss, and again the box wasn't so poopy in the morning. Tonight, I leaned a couple of sticks across the two boxes they've been using... Came back after dark to find one cockerel sitting precariously on the edge of the box (tail out, so at least the poop won't go in the box, maybe!) The rest were on the perches (with plenty of room left), so I left TTF ("Two Tail Feathers") alone, hoping he'd get uncomfortable and try the perch again.
I've now got two laying (fortunately they seem to like other boxes!) In time, though, with a probable 23 layers, I'll want all boxes clean and ready for laying--not all poopy from none-too-neat overnighters. Any suggestions??
Rhonda
Sidesaddle Hall of Famer
Five-time US National Sidesaddle Champion
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