How can you keep chickens from roosting on the edge of nesting boxes and thus pooping in them?

Here are a few tips that can help prevent chickens from roosting on the edge of nesting boxes and pooping in them:

1. Provide Adequate Nesting Boxes: Make sure there are enough nesting boxes available to accommodate all your hens. Overcrowded nesting boxes can encourage roosting and lead to increased droppings inside the boxes. Aim to have one nesting box per 4-5 hens.

2. Proper Nesting Box Height and Size: Position the nesting boxes at a comfortable height for the chickens to easily access. Typically, the bottom of the nesting box should be about 18-24 inches off the ground. Provide nesting boxes that are of an appropriate size for your hens. The dimensions of a suitable nesting box should roughly be around 12 inches wide, 12 inches high, and 14 inches deep.

3. Nesting Material: Provide comfortable and absorbent nesting material such as straw or shavings inside the boxes. This will encourage hens to nest comfortably and discourage them from roosting on the edges.

4. Lighting and Ventilation: Ensure that the coop has adequate lighting and proper ventilation. Poor lighting and insufficient air circulation can lead to overcrowding in nesting boxes, potentially causing roosting and increased droppings.

5. Use roosting poles: Encourage your chickens to roost on the designated perches by installing additional elevated roosting poles at a comfortable height inside the coop. Place these poles higher than the nesting boxes to make them more attractive for roosting.

6. Block Access: If certain boxes are being consistently used for roosting, you can temporarily block them to discourage roosting. This will encourage the hens to use other nesting boxes.

7. Introduce a "Rooster Pole": This is a slightly raised perch that is installed a few inches in front of the nesting box. This perch gives the hens a place to sit that is not the nesting box lip, as well as a place to jump down to rather than flying directly into the nesting box which also causes more pooping.

8. Change Box Design: Some chicken keepers have reported success in preventing roosting by changing the design of the nesting boxes. This could involve adding a slanted roof or adjusting the entrance hole size.

9. Training and Rewarding: Try training your chickens by gently moving them off the nesting box edges and back into the box. You can also reward them with a treat when they use the nesting boxes correctly.

10. Predator Awareness: Roosting in nest boxes can sometimes indicate that the chickens feel vulnerable in the coop. Ensure the coop is secure and provides protection against potential predators, this can help reduce stress and decrease the likelihood of hens roosting in nesting boxes.

Remember that every flock and coop setup is unique, so what works for one group of hens may not work for another. Some trial and error may be needed to find the most suitable solution for your chickens.