Hens not Roosting

[LarryBirds]

I have 3 Black Sexed Hens l, 2 Silkie Hens, and 1 Silkie Rooster. They are around 6 months old and none of them will roost at night in their coop. They huddle in the corner no matter the temp. They have tons of room in their coop and the bars are definitely wide enough.

 

[jonezjollyfarm]

I'd start by blocking where they are huddling. How big are the bars? Have you tried moving them up there when it gets dark? I have a similar issue with the youngins. They eventually learn to sleep on the roost. But if none of your are there isnt anyone to teach them.

 

[LarryBirds]

The bars are about 2-3 in wide. Maybe I'll try putting them up there myself.

 

[jonezjollyfarm]

That's what I do. I just go in there every night and put them up there until they get the point

 

[Coralee]

I've usually had adult birds around to teach them to roost. But once they get the idea it like a contest every night to get the best and highest perch.

 

[MrsWayne]

I have a hen who decided she would rather shack up with the ducks than the other hen and roost. I am thinking the roost isn’t big enough for them all.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have 3 Black Sexed Hens l, 2 Silkie Hens, and 1 Silkie Rooster. They are around 6 months old and none of them will roost at night in their coop. They huddle in the corner no matter the temp. They have tons of room in their coop and the bars are definitely wide enough.

How high are the roosts?
Some Silkies don't like to roost from what I understand, so they just sleep in a pile. Your LF hens may eventually roost on their own or decide to stick with the Silkies.

You can try placing each one on the roost after dark for several days to see if you can train them to roost.

How big is the coop?

 

[jonezjollyfarm]

Can they see to make their way up there? That just dawned on me. It may be dark so there leery to go up there.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Silkies cannot fly. How high are the roosts and how are they supposed to get up there and back down?

Some Silkies are quite happy sleeping on the floor, it does not hurt them. They do not have to roost to be healthy and happy. Some Silkies will roost if they can get up and down. As long as they are not sleeping in the nests I don't see any problems.

Your Black Sex Links are probably just hanging with their buddies. If you want you can start putting them on the roosts at night after it is too dark for them to just hop back down, they could start roosting and the Silkies may want to join them. But I'd think about how they are going to get themselves down before I started putting Silkies on the roost. Let them decide what they prefer.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Silkies cannot fly. But I'd think about how they are going to get themselves down before I started putting Silkies on the roost. Let them decide what they prefer.

Good point I guess I should have said, try putting the LF on the roosts