[neil9797]

My new laydeez do not use their perches to roost but all snuggle up together in one of the laying nests. Pooptastic. I've taken advice from old forum posts to block off the nests until they learn to use the perches (they are not laying yet) but how long will that take?

Thanks, N

[raeburg]

look in at night and gently lift them onto he perches.  they'll get the idea eventually

[Mrs S]

My ex-bats perched originally for the first week or two, but then went into the nest box. I don't really mind, but if we go away for a weekend, I don't want to ask the neighbours who are collecting eggs to also clean poo! I tried lifting them out but they go back in! I have also been advised to block off the nest boxes at night which I may try 

[bateschooks]

I have 6 ex bats and they all used to sleep in the nest boxes but i just went down each night and lifted them on to perches, they soon got the hang of it after about a couple of weeks. I also put a board on front of the laying boxes so they could recognise that the boxes are for laying eggs in. I do still have 1 who does everything wrong, like sleeping in there when she can get away with it and lays eggs where she is standing in the run in the boarders in the garden, its like treasure hunt when she is laying , i just think there is no converting her, but she seems happy so i am to.