6-8 week old chickes not roosting

[Franklinridgefarms]

Here is a picture of our roosts

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ok, so maybe I should add a lower one? I have one at 20 inches and one at 36 inches. They are 1 inch bars I believe. But they are square not circular.

For now the bars are big enough but they'll outgrow them. I'd do no smaller than 2" diameter/across.

The roost heights are fine unless you have heavy breeds (but these are chicks) or birds that can't fly like Silkies.

If you're concerned it's too dark, you can either add a stick on battery light, or add another window in a direction that will provide enough natural light for them to see (facing south, for example).

As you do not have adult chickens to teach them to roost, if you want them to roost now, you need to go in there once it's dark and manually move them to the roost to show them what to do. If you do not want to do that, then they'll probably figure it out themselves over time, but that could be next week, or several weeks from now.

 

[Johnms2021]

For now the bars are big enough but they'll outgrow them. I'd do no smaller than 2" diameter/across.

The roost heights are fine unless you have heavy breeds (but these are chicks) or birds that can't fly like Silkies.

If you're concerned it's too dark, you can either add a stick on battery light, or add another window in a direction that will provide enough natural light for them to see (facing south, for example).

As you do not have adult chickens to teach them to roost, if you want them to roost now, you need to go in there once it's dark and manually move them to the roost to show them what to do. If you do not want to do that, then they'll probably figure it out themselves over time, but that could be next week, or several weeks from now.

Given what everyone has been saying I put a 2x4 across around 4-6 inches from the ground for now. I’m thinking I’ll need to put some sort of light in there though. Does anyone know of a decent light that will hit effect their circadian rhythm? We have Plymouth Barred rocks, blue rocks, whiting true greens and Rhode Island reds. I tried putting them up on the roost last night but they just jump off it when I put them on and join the group in the corner.

 

[Johnms2021]

They keep just jumping off the roost and joining the rest of the flock in the corner on the ground. During they day they are completely fine and have normal
Behavior. Not overly anxious or anything. Any suggestions on a light to put in the there? Would a blue light work to simulate moon light?

 

[RobertaD1]

I personally don't think you need a light... but that's me
As for them jumping off.... it will take some time to get them to roost. But they will. It's their instinct. If you keep at it, they will get it. You just have to have patience.

 

[RobertaD1]

I have some ten week olds who think they need to roost on the walls... but eventually, they will be too big to do that, and they will be forced to use the roost...LOL. The other option for them if that doesnt get them to the roost will be winter. It will be too cold for them stay on the walls, then they will have to move to the back of the coop to roost to stay warm.

 

[Johnms2021]

I personally don't think you need a light... but that's me
As for them jumping off.... it will take some time to get them to roost. But they will. It's their instinct. If you keep at it, they will get it. You just have to have patience.

Ok, I just have read that they are more prone to mites and illness sleeping on the ground. That’s why I was getting a little concerned. I’ll wait a bit longer and see

 

[RobertaD1]

Ok, I just have read that they are more prone to mites and illness sleeping on the ground. That’s why I was getting a little concerned. I’ll wait a bit longer and see

I didnt mean leave them... if you keep putting them on the roosts, they will eventually get it. They will stop huddling on the floor.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

What are the roosts made of? Maybe you answered this and I missed it. They like their feet to be flat, like on the flat side of a 2x4. They don't grip a round perch like parakeets do.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They keep just jumping off the roost and joining the rest of the flock in the corner on the ground. Any suggestions on a light to put in the there? Would a blue light work to simulate moon light?

I would think no light would be the best option, at least once they're up and settled in. For a light so they can see inside in order to get on roost in first place, almost anything will do, they just need to be able to see.

When they're jumping off the roost, are you putting them on when it's completely dark?