passionfluff
Hatching
Hi all, sorry if this is in the wrong forum. I recently got 3 almost 1 y/o (44 weeks I believe) Golden Comet hens that seem to refuse the higher roost ladder that I bought them. They used the ones that came with the pre-fab coop but they're only about an inch off the ground and a couple of the girls like to sleep in the nest boxes. They also seem to sleep laying on the floor sometimes instead. Is there any reason for them to not use a roost at their age? As far as I know they had one in their previous home.
No bullying issues that I've seen, they all like to nap together sometimes, and they always put themselves to bed in the coop. They have access to an outdoor run and free range (supervised) for a few hours each day. The floor of their coop is sand and I like to scoop it once a week and rake out their run which is currently just grass (waiting for them to destroy all of it, then will probably also switch to sand). They're laying normally also in the nest boxes. All are eating/drinking/pooping normally as well.
This is their coop. As you can tell the roosting poles provided are super low, but they almost seem to prefer that?
This is the roost that I bought them. It's definitely tiny for 3 full size hens and I was planning on buying a second one to also put in the coop but I'm not sure if its necessary now?
I've tried to reach in and put one hen on the top bar and she did stay for a couple hours but then jumped off and went to sleep on the floor with the other girls. I've removed the other two roosts as well to try and force them on it somehow but they are adamant. I also have a small waterer in the corner of the coop as well just so it's always available.
Thanks in advance for any advice/tips!
EDIT: Their coop only has that little window for ventilation so I usually prop open the nest box roof a bit so there's a little more air. I'm planning on just drilling some small holes in the opposite side of the window.
No bullying issues that I've seen, they all like to nap together sometimes, and they always put themselves to bed in the coop. They have access to an outdoor run and free range (supervised) for a few hours each day. The floor of their coop is sand and I like to scoop it once a week and rake out their run which is currently just grass (waiting for them to destroy all of it, then will probably also switch to sand). They're laying normally also in the nest boxes. All are eating/drinking/pooping normally as well.
This is their coop. As you can tell the roosting poles provided are super low, but they almost seem to prefer that?
This is the roost that I bought them. It's definitely tiny for 3 full size hens and I was planning on buying a second one to also put in the coop but I'm not sure if its necessary now?
I've tried to reach in and put one hen on the top bar and she did stay for a couple hours but then jumped off and went to sleep on the floor with the other girls. I've removed the other two roosts as well to try and force them on it somehow but they are adamant. I also have a small waterer in the corner of the coop as well just so it's always available.
Thanks in advance for any advice/tips!
EDIT: Their coop only has that little window for ventilation so I usually prop open the nest box roof a bit so there's a little more air. I'm planning on just drilling some small holes in the opposite side of the window.