Advice for chiken not laying and not roosting

[Dubjoe]

well I got them perched after some stubbornness, ill try this for the next while. its winter so I take it they wont lay now till spring?

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under Dubjoe

Welcome!

As you have already received from great tips I will just add that I hope you enjoy BYC. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun. Unlike non chicken loving friends, family and colleagues, BYC’ers never tire of stories or pictures that feature our feathered and non feathered friends

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[Dubjoe]

Hi Folks

Many thanks for all the welcomes

Just giving an update. My girls still not roosting, every night I'm forcing them on roost. They stay on roost till morning but how long do I need to keep placing them on roost? there is so much room for them in coop but they just bunch up in the same corner every night. The Local Finches have welcomed the new addition but the girls are not having it and chase every critter out of run. so fun to watch

 

[pnwoldie]

Dubjoe, I think your hens are just young. They want to huddle together until they get to be several months old, then they will roost. Also they will roost in the highest spot they can. If nest boxes are higher than the roost they will use the nest boxes.

I am a big believer in high roosts for predator avoidance. As long as they have room to fly down safely.

 

[Dubjoe]

This is the layout of my coop. I don't know how old they are, but I'm guessing your right. is there a way to judge how old they are? I find placing them on the roost every night is stressing them out. I was thinking of confining them to coop ?

 

[pnwoldie]

I would let them roost naturally when they are ready. They should be confined to the coop every night for protection from predators.

As for laying it sounds like they are too young for that. It might be a few more months but this spring they should be good to go. Maybe sooner. It would drive me nuts not knowing how old my birds were. I buy hatched chicks and am always calculating remaining time to lay.

Maybe picture of a bird? Are their tail feathers fully developed and do they have bright red wattles?

 

[RodNTN]

I am glad you joined us! I hope you enjoy BYC, best wishes!

 

[junebuggena]

Pictures can help. If they are adult sized, but not mature, it's likely they are around 4 to 5 months of age. If they are still small, but no longer have down, they are likely about 2 to 3 months old. Higher roosts will be more enticing to them, but they could just be too young yet.

 

[Dubjoe]

Hi folks

sorry for delay only back online today after break, no net at home.
I got my girls roosted shortly after last post. I raised the roost up as high as possible and it was instant. everything going perfect albeit no eggs. Unfortunately I've no way of adding some pics. the wattle is red and their tales seem grown. they are very comfortable with picking them up they don't seem bothered and let me pet them. They feed on layer pellet and scraps of bread left over( I soften bread with water). neighbours birds are laying daily but not mine. May have to wait till spring as still very dark by 4pm here?