How To Keep Chickens From Pooping In Nesting Boxes

If you’re tired of collecting eggs only to find them covered in poop, you’re not alone. Nesting boxes are supposed to be cozy little spots for your hens to lay—not their overnight porta-potties. So, what’s going on here?

After dealing with this myself (and hearing the same complaints from other backyard chicken folks), I’ve picked up a few practical tricks to keep the nesting boxes clean and the eggs poop-free.

Let’s walk through what works.

1. Chickens Sleep Where They Poop—So Don’t Let Them Sleep There

The main reason chickens poop in nesting boxes? They’re sleeping in them. And like clockwork, chickens poop all night long. If they’re roosting inside the nesting boxes, expect mess every morning.

What to do:

• Make sure your roosting bars are higher than your nesting boxes. Chickens naturally go for the highest place to roost. If your boxes are up high and the perches are lower, they’ll choose the wrong spot.
• Check at dusk. Once it starts getting dark, peek into the coop. If you see chickens snuggled into nesting boxes for the night, gently move them onto the perch.

2. Block Off the Boxes at Night (If You Have To)

Some chicken keepers block off their nesting boxes in the evening, especially if the flock keeps returning to sleep there. This works best if your hens aren’t actively laying first thing in the morning.

How to do it:

• Use a lightweight board or even a curtain to temporarily block the entrance.
• Just don’t forget to remove it in the morning so your hens can lay!

3. Add a Nesting Box Curtain

This sounds fancy, but it’s just a scrap of fabric hung over the entrance of the nesting box. It makes the boxes dark and private, which hens love for laying—but discourages them from using it as a sleep spot.

Bonus: It helps keep the bedding clean by limiting nighttime access and reducing stray kicks of dirt or droppings.

4. Use the Right Number of Nesting Boxes

If your hens are overcrowded, they’ll take whatever space they can find—including nesting boxes meant for laying. The general rule is 1 box per 3–4 hens, but even that’s flexible if your flock has favorites.

If there’s not enough room to roost, they’ll pick the next best option.

5. Keep the Boxes Comfortable—but Not Too Comfy

Nesting boxes should be clean, soft, and private—but they shouldn’t feel like a deluxe hen hotel. Too much fluff or space might encourage lounging. Instead:

• Add straw, wood shavings, or nest pads
• Keep it minimal and tidy
• Scoop out poop or soiled bedding daily (or as often as you can)

6. Observe & Adjust

Every flock is different. Some hens are just stubborn. I had one that refused to roost for weeks and would sneak into the corner of a nesting box every night like it was her personal bunk bed. I finally rearranged the roosting bar and lowered the box—and that fixed it.

So, if something’s not working, keep tweaking. Chickens respond quickly to changes in coop layout and routine.

Final Thoughts

Stopping chickens from pooping in nesting boxes isn’t about punishing them—it’s about helping them make better choices. A few small tweaks in coop design and habits can make a big difference.

Your eggs (and your nose) will thank you.