The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: northfifeduckling on August 22, 2010, 09:35:00 pm

Title: not perching
Post by: northfifeduckling on August 22, 2010, 09:35:00 pm

Twice I have noticed now that the chooks, cockerel and youngster and the girls,  have all gone off the perches and are huddling together in the nesting boxes - what could this be about as it is not really cold yet? House and birds are freshly dusted... :&>

Title: Re: not perching
Post by: ellisr on August 22, 2010, 09:44:39 pm

Block the access to the nesy boxes at night and they will roost again

Title: Re: not perching
Post by: doganjo on August 22, 2010, 11:39:01 pm

Does it matter whether they roost or sleep in the boxes?

Title: Re: not perching
Post by: Fleecewife on August 23, 2010, 11:51:23 am

We don't like our hens sleeping in the nest boxes as they don't get out to poop in the night  ;D  This means that the eggs laid in the morning are mucky.
NFD - although you have dusted the house it's worth double checking for mites every day, this year.  I can tell now if the mites are hatching again as my lot shuffle along to the middle of the perches instead of all huddling towards one end.

Title: Re: not perching
Post by: northfifeduckling on August 23, 2010, 11:59:16 am

I'll check again for mites, thanks! :chook: :&>