New chickens wont root or use nest boxes

[Aunt Angus]

I have one who doesn't like roosting at at almost 2 years. I found that lower roosts help. They all roost now, except for one. And I put her up on the roost every night so she doesn't get pooped on. She's a white Cochin- all feather. My lowest roost is only about 4 inches above the floor.

Good gravy. Lemme fix all those typos...

 

[rosemarythyme]

Don't put them on the roost in the dark. They'll fall off. They'll get the hang of it.

They shouldn't fall off - jumping off in a panic, maybe. Starting chicks off on lower roosts helps with that.

We got them from friends who got them from a hudderite family who had to many chickens, so no they had no roosts (they did at my friends but they also were over crowding them there :|) They are maybe 7-8 months old? I'm just thinking they never learned HOW to roost or anything.

So yes, in that case you will need to teach them to roost.

 

[crazy granny]

I have a similar problem mine use the roosting bar but not the nesting box

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have a similar problem mine use the roosting bar but not the nesting box

We'd need a photo of your nest set up to troubleshoot.

 

[Mrs. K]

I am thinking you can go in after dark, and place them on the roost. OR you can do nothing, in both cases, I would think that in 3 weeks, everyone will be roosting.

Change is very hard on chickens, even good change. A strange coop - they are going to huddle for a few days.

MRs K

 

[crazy granny]

We'd need a photo of your nest set up to troubleshoot.

I will try to get one

 

[crazy granny]

I will try to get one Sorry it took so long but here my babies...

 

[rosemarythyme]

View attachment 3546405

We'd need a photo of the actual nest set up, and maybe the interior of the coop in general. You said they roost fine, just won't use nest boxes is the issue?

 

[crazy granny]

We'd need a photo of the actual nest set up, and maybe the interior of the coop in general. You said they roost fine, just won't use nest boxes is the issue?

 

[crazy granny]

View attachment 3546408

They finally started sleeping in at night.