When will my chicks start roosting?

[VeniceChicks]

Hello,

I am new to chickens and BYC. I have 5 pullets (I hope). They are about 12 weeks old and getting lovely.

BR, BO, GLW, Americana and Mottled Java.

They have been in their coop since they were about 4-5 weeks old - before that they were in my bathtub. They love to sleep in a big chicken pile - like a puppy pile. We have put up two roosts and I will go and put them on it sometimes, but they always come down and sleep in the corner of the coop on top of each other.

I am worried sometimes at who is on the bottom. Will they learn to roost?

Thanks for your help, Krista

 

[gritsar]

They will eventually learn to roost. You can go and put them on the roosts each night for awhile to encourage them, but they will get to it in their own time.

 

[epeloquin]

I agree, they will start roosting. Just keep putting them up on it now and then, eventually instinct will take over.