7 weeks and 2 days... not roosting in coop

[Panhandler80]

So, they have at least trained themselves to go back to the coop at night. What they had been doing was getting in it with about half an hour of light left, and then when the sun got low, they'd follow out of the coop as it went down. This resulted in them winding up in the dark, not sure where to go and pretty scared. I started turning the lamp on in the coop about an hour before it began to get dark and the would go to the coop and stay there with it on all night EVEN though they had access to the run. After about a week, I'd get them in there using that method, then kill the light and close the door and let them out in the morning.

Well, after doing about a week in there with no light, they are comfortably getting in as the sun goes down and staying there.

What they are NOT doing, however, is roosting. They all lay on top of each other i the corner where the lamp used to be. I know they can access the roosting bars, because I've seen them do it. They just don't want to sleep on them.

8x8 coop with two roosting perches that run parallel to each other about 2' off the ground and barely above exterior nesting boxes. Then one roosting perch that runs perpendicular to those two that's positioned at one far end of the coop.

Maybe make some ramps to access them? Or just don't worry about it?

 

[HENS-and-MARES]

I haven’t had anything like this happen to me, but maybe try putting them on the perches at night, and then stay for a bit to make sure they stay. Do this for a couple days....

 

[Amylynn007]

I've heard they will eventually roost on their own, it's just a matter of time. You can try placing them up there, but I wouldn't worry if they don't take to it right away. They will as they mature.

 

[aart]

Maybe make some ramps to access them? Or just don't worry about it?

Show us your roost.
(if you had coop page, I'd just go look)
Do they get on the roosts during the day?
I put them up on roosts during the day multiple times,
Just to 'show' them they can navigate there.
Then might put them up there at night well after dark.
Or you can just let them figure it out.

 

[Alliesan648]

You might want to be proactive and place them on the roosts after dark. My first batch of pullets couldn’t figure it out and squished someone to death in the pile one night.

 

[Panhandler80]

You might want to be proactive and place them on the roosts after dark. My first batch of pullets couldn’t figure it out and squished someone to death in the pile one night.

Yikes. Okay. May start that routine, then.

 

[Panhandler80]

Yikes. Okay. May start that routine, then.

They perch outside in the run no problem.

 

[BulldogsandChickens]

They perch outside in the run no problem.

My 10 week old pullets just started roosting at night. They were good about finding their way in the Coop at dusk but would pile on floor to sleep. I keep a night light on all night in Coop so they can see the perches. I started putting a few birds up on roost at a time when I would close them in at night. Eventually they all followed the leaders. Now the pullets huddle right next to each other on roost all night. Give it time. They will figure it out!

 

[Alliesan648]

Yikes. Okay. May start that routine, then.

If I recall they learned pretty quick, I only had to do it two nights in a row.
now that I have full grown chickens the little ones seem to figure out the roosting program from them.

 

[BabasCoop]

You need to teach them. It isn’t something they automatically know to do.
U need to go out and pick them up and place them on the roost. They will begin to figure it out.