Not Using Roosting Bars

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canaday413

canaday413

Chirping
Mar 21, 2015
67
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Hi! So we are not 100% complete done with our coop, but the girls were getting big and needed to move in. So we did a temporary roost until we could do the permanent one. For some reason they aren't useing it. They bed down on the floor all six of them cuddled together. Is it possible they miss their brooder box? I heard that they need to stay in there for at least three days to get used to and understand that this is their new home so we are doing that. This is their third night. Is there something wrong with this roost? We just need to know so we don't mess up on the final one. Thanks for all advice and help!!

400
 
Howdy canaday413

I can only go on personal experience here but I have had chickens roost on the top of a thin dividing wall, on a brick or on the edge of the nest box. I have learnt that if they want to roost they will and just about on anything
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How old are your girls? They may not yet be at the age where they want to roost and prefer to snuggle together on the floor.

As I mentioned, just my thoughts, but the lower bar on your temporary roost does not look like it would hold 6 together and this could also be the reason they are not using it, wanting to stay together.

What you could try is popping them on the roost just on bedtime. If you do not time it right, they may jump down again and it may take a few nights for them to get the hang of it, but some gentle persuasion may help them work out that it is a pretty good place to sleep.
 
Thanks Telia!! They youngest is about 7-8 weeks old. The rest are around 3 months old...I think. When they were in their brooder box they would always roost on the bar we had in there, but yes they all squeezed in together on. They thought they were big stuff if they got the spot on top of the feeder so I figured they would love the new space and roosting bars. I have tried several times to set them on the bar and they do always jump down. As long as they are happy, I am happy. I just wanted to make sure we didn't do something wrong. :)
 
Mine will be 12 weeks old on Tuesday, & they r still cuddling on the floor! They've been up on the roosts, but r still on the floor. I'm just going to wait & let them figure it out. They have finally started going in the coop on their own, so I'm happy about that. Just give them time!
 
I have only raised chicks with a broody hen and she has taught them to roost but even then, most of my hatches have not roosted until the7 were 6 or so weeks old and that was with mum teaching them.

On the odd occasion that I have bought in newbies, they were around the 3 month mark and even though the older gals were on the roost, they still did not start roosting until a bit later.

I agree with rides2far and would give them a little more time.
 
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