Chickens sleeping in nesting box

[cjp4]

I have 4 pullets (2 Mille's, 1 Wynedotte, & a Speckled Sussex) who have taken to sleeping in the nesting box. The Sussex & Wynedotte are 15 weeks old, the Milles are maybe 12. They will rest on the roosting bar during the afternoon but will have nothing to do with it at night. How do I train them to move out of the nesting boxes? Is it as simple as blocking off the box?

 

[The Coop Crew]

A couple things. Mine still sleep on the ground and haven’t started roosting yet, they’re 12 weeks. I figure they will do it when they’re ready.
Mine did try to sleep in the nesting boxes but I stopped it as soon as I saw it because you don’t want it to become habit. I just blocked mine off so they can’t sleep there. They don’t need them yet anyways because they don’t lay.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Is it as simple as blocking off the box?

It could be. What do your roosts look like? Are they higher than the nests? Chickens tend to sleep on the highest place available. The answer could be as simple as raising your roosts. Photos of what you have may help. Since they are going onto the roosts during the day they can get there. They just don't want to sleep there yet.

If you see the comb (and wattles if they have them) of your 15 week olds turn bright red they are pretty close to lay. It is rare but I've had some start laying at 16 weeks. I'd want the nests open for them when they start. That is my only concern with blocking the nests.

What I'd suggest is wait until it is very dark and put them on the roosts after they have gone to bed in the nests. Use as little light as you can and still be safe. Most of the time they get the message pretty quickly and start putting themselves to bed on the roosts. Once one starts sleeping on the roosts the others usually soon follow.

 

[Tonyroo]

In a lot of ways, it's normal that they would want to do that. But close off the nest box till they are actually laying eggs. Plus it gives them less choices and go from there.

 

[sourland]

Block off the boxes and make sure that the roost is higher than the nest box. Chickens prefer to roost/sleep at the highest point possible.

 

[Gavinthechickenman]

I have older hens that are 6 years old one buff Orpington and one black star that do the same thing I don’t know why

 

[cjp4]

Thank you for the suggestions. I have tried multiple ways of uploading pics but for whatever reason they won't load.

My roosting bar is the highest point in the coop, about 14 inches above the floor, the nesting boxes are only a few inches off the floor. The combs haven't started to turn yet (thank you for that sign!!!) so I'll try to just block off the box.