Breaking The Habit! Stop Hens From Sleeping In The Nesting Box

Hens sleeping in nesting boxes can be a sign of issues in the coop. To break the habit, let’s discuss why they do it, ways to prevent it, and what could happen if they do!

Why Do They Do It?

Just like people, they may flock together, but comfort is important when it comes to their personal space and nighttime routine. 

• Roosting Bars need to be higher than nesting boxes and the right size. See All About Roosting Bars for more details. If you have a mixed-age flock, provide a ladder-type roost for older birds. 
• Overcrowding in a coop
• Mites in the crevices of roosting bars can irritate hens at night. See our blog on Poultry Mites for more information.
• Injury or Age: Be sure to examine any bird not using the roosts for injury, as they may be uncomfortable on the roost. (Silkies may be an exception to this, as they often roost on the ground.)
• Drafty Coop

Ways To Prevent It

This may take some time to retrain the offender, but you can get them to stop sleeping in the nesting box. 

• Block off nesting boxes at night
• Move the chicken to the roosting bar each night
• Keep roosting bars clean

What It Can Cause

Be sure to break the habit, as it will only create more work for you.

Dirty Nest:  Chicken poop will accumulate overnight, and you will have to replace the bedding constantly 

Dirty Eggs: With all that poop, any eggs laid will be covered in it. Having to wipe down dirty eggs takes a lot of time. 

Broken Eggs: A hen may try to sleep on any eggs laid that evening that were not collected. Come morning, some may be broken. Along with the dirt, wiping off dried egg yolk is not worth the effort. 

Smothering: Yep, smothering can also happen when too many chickens try to crowd in one nesting box. 

In a perfect world, the hen will get the idea after the first night. Once you find out WHY they are doing it, stay consistent. For their health and your sanity!