Tips for Preventing Chickens from Sleeping in Nesting Boxes

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Tips for Preventing Chickens from Sleeping in Nesting Boxes

Chickens naturally seek out high, secure places to roost at night. Roosting bars in the coop provide them with a safe and comfortable sleeping area. However, some chickens may ignore these roosts and instead choose to sleep in their nesting boxes.

Allowing chickens to sleep in nesting boxes can cause several issues, including dirty eggs, overcrowding, and even health problems. In this guide, we will explore the reasons why chickens sleep in nesting boxes and how you can encourage them to return to their roosts.

Why Chickens Need Proper Roosts

Chickens instinctively look for safe, elevated places to sleep. Roosting bars are designed to:

  • Keep chickens safe from predators
  • Prevent exposure to soiled litter
  • Reduce the risk of disease and parasites
  • Provide a comfortable and natural sleeping space

Nesting boxes, on the other hand, are meant for laying eggs. They should be clean, comfortable, and free from droppings. When chickens sleep in nesting boxes, the space becomes dirty, leading to health risks and poor egg quality.

Why Chickens Sleep in Nesting Boxes Instead of Roosts

If your chickens are avoiding the roosting bars and sleeping in nesting boxes, there could be several reasons behind this behavior.

1. Dirty or Uncomfortable Roosts

If the roosting area is too dirty, rough, or poorly designed, chickens may prefer the softer bedding in the nesting boxes.

Solution:

  • Clean the roosts regularly to remove droppings.
  • Ensure the roosts are made from sanded wood or sturdy branches to provide a comfortable grip.

2. Mites or Parasites in the Coop

Mites are external parasites that live in the cracks and crevices of roosting bars and coops. They cause irritation and discomfort, making chickens avoid the roosting area.

Solution:

  • Check chickens for mites by inspecting their feathers and skin.
  • Examine the coop, especially around the roosting bars, for tiny crawling mites.
  • If mites are found, treat both the chickens and the coop with appropriate mite treatments.

3. Injuries or Illness

A chicken with an injury, especially on its legs or feet, may find it difficult to perch on a roost. Similarly, a sick chicken may avoid the effort of flying up to a roost.

Solution:

  • Regularly check your flock for injuries, such as bumblefoot, frostbite, or abrasions.
  • Provide a lower roosting option for older or injured chickens.
  • If a chicken is sick, move it to an infirmary pen for proper care.

4. Bullying from Other Chickens

If there is not enough space on the roosts or if a chicken is being bullied by more dominant flock members, it may retreat to the nesting boxes for safety.

Solution:

  • Provide at least 8 to 12 inches of roosting space per chicken to prevent crowding.
  • If bullying is an issue, separate aggressive chickens until the flock dynamics improve.
  • Add extra roosts at different heights to give lower-ranking chickens more options.

5. Poor Coop Design or Drafts

A coop that is too drafty, especially in winter, can make the roosting area uncomfortable. Chickens may seek shelter in the nesting boxes to escape the cold wind.

Solution:

  • Ensure that windows and vents are positioned above the roosts, not directly at chicken level.
  • Seal cracks or gaps that allow cold drafts to enter the coop while maintaining proper ventilation.

6. Chickens Are Too Young or Heavy to Roost

Young chickens or heavy breeds like Orpingtons and Cochins may struggle to fly up to high roosts. Silkies and frizzled breeds may also have difficulty perching due to their feather structure.

Solution:

  • Provide roosts at different heights to accommodate all chickens.
  • Use a ramp or step ladder to help heavier or older chickens reach the roosts.

How to Stop Chickens from Sleeping in Nesting Boxes

If your chickens have developed the habit of sleeping in nesting boxes, you can take steps to retrain them.

1. Block Off the Nesting Boxes at Night

One of the easiest ways to break this habit is to physically block access to the nesting boxes in the evening.

How to do it:

  • Use a piece of cardboard, wood, or chicken wire to cover the nesting boxes before nightfall.
  • Remove the cover in the morning so that hens can lay their eggs.

2. Place Chickens on the Roosts at Night

Just like training young chicks, manually placing your chickens on the roosting bars every evening can help them develop the habit of roosting.

How to do it:

  • Gently pick up the chickens and place them on the roosting bars at dusk.
  • Repeat for several nights until they begin roosting on their own.

3. Improve Roosting Conditions

Make sure the roosts are higher than the nesting boxes because chickens instinctively prefer to sleep in elevated areas.

Tips:

  • Roosts should be 2 to 3 feet off the ground for most breeds.
  • Use wide, stable perches to make roosting comfortable.
  • Make sure there is enough space for chickens to fly up and down safely.

4. Adjust the Coop Layout

If your coop design encourages chickens to sleep in the nesting boxes, consider making adjustments.

Changes to consider:

  • Move roosting bars to a higher position than the nesting boxes.
  • Ensure there is plenty of headroom for chickens to fly up to the roosts.
  • Keep nesting boxes dark and secluded so they are only used for laying eggs.

5. Address Flock Dynamics

If bullying is a problem, take steps to reduce aggressive behavior in the flock.

Solutions:

  • Provide multiple feeding and watering stations to reduce competition.
  • Ensure chickens have enough space to roam.
  • Separate overly aggressive hens if necessary.

What About Broody Hens?

A broody hen may spend all her time in the nesting box, refusing to leave even at night. This is different from a hen simply roosting in the nesting box.

How to handle a broody hen:

  • If you want her to hatch eggs, move her to a separate brooding pen where she won’t disturb other hens.
  • If you don’t want her to hatch eggs, break her broodiness by removing her from the nesting box several times a day and cooling her belly with a frozen water bottle.

What If Chickens Sleep on the Coop Floor?

If chickens avoid both the roosts and nesting boxes and instead sleep on the coop floor, check for the following:

  • Parasites or mites in the roosting area
  • Bullying or overcrowding on the roosts
  • Injury or illness preventing the chicken from perching
  • Improper roosting bars that are unstable or uncomfortable

If nothing is wrong, sleeping on the floor is not necessarily a problem. However, never allow chickens to sleep outside the coop, as they will be vulnerable to predators.

Chickens naturally prefer to sleep on roosts, but sometimes they develop bad habits or avoid roosting due to discomfort. Addressing the root cause, whether it’s mites, injuries, bullying, or coop design, can help encourage your chickens to return to their proper sleeping spots.

By blocking off nesting boxes at night, improving roosting conditions, and training your chickens, you can ensure clean eggs and a healthier flock.

FAQ’s

1. Is it bad if my chickens sleep in nesting boxes?

Yes, allowing chickens to sleep in nesting boxes leads to dirty eggs, overcrowding, and potential health issues. It is best to train them to use roosting bars instead.

2. How do I stop chickens from sleeping in nesting boxes?

Block off the nesting boxes at night, improve the roosting area, and manually place chickens on the roosts until they learn the habit.

3. Why are my chickens avoiding the roosts?

Possible reasons include mites, injuries, bullying, cold drafts, or uncomfortable roosting bars. Check for these issues and make necessary adjustments.

4. Can young chickens sleep in nesting boxes?

Young chickens should be trained to use roosts from an early age. If they are not laying eggs yet, block off nesting boxes to prevent bad habits.

5. How high should chicken roosts be?

For most breeds, roosts should be 2 to 3 feet off the ground. Heavy breeds may prefer lower roosts with ramps for easy access.

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