So, i have a flock of 16 chickens. 3 roosters, 13 hens(black austrolorps). i have had them a little before my birthday and they are around 18 weeks old. anyways, i put in the roost for them today and they weren't using it tonight. i know that it'll take time for them to use it, but how long can i expect to wait till they start using the roost? Also, how long until they start laying? i heard that they do at about 16 weeks but they are 18 weeks now and i haven't seen any eggs.
It depends what breed they are usually they lay at around 18 to 21 weeks. And also it should be about 1 week or 2 to wait for them to start useing the roost.
Mine took about a week to all use the roosts, at first they would sleep on the floor snuggled in the line shavings, when I would go check on them, I would put them on he roost myself every night for a week and they eventually got the hang of it
Yes, it's permitted to encourage them to use the roosting perch by placing them on it. Most chickens quickly discover they're more secure and comfortable up on the perch than on the floor. It's also a status thing. Being high off the floor is advantageous. Of course, you may leave them on the floor and let them discover (or not) the roosting perch on their own, but some chickens are very habit prone, and they may decide they want to sleep on the floor the rest of their lives. When my chicks reach five weeks, whether they're broody raised or brooder raised, they get transitioned to the roosting perch. It takes no more than two or three days, and they prefer the perch to the floor.
18-28 weeks is the normal range for onset of lay for most breeds. Can take longer during these shortening days.