Bizarre roosting behavior

[Abriana]

I guess everyone's chickens are different. If mine don't get their same spot, or one near it, they are very grumpy.

 

[Abriana]

By the way Trish1974, the hen in your avatar looks just like my Ameraucana, Lindsey. At first, I thought that was her!

 

[Trish1974]

By the way Trish1974, the hen in your avatar looks just like my Ameraucana, Lindsey. At first, I thought that was her!

That's "LF", the one her sister tucks under on the roost. She's a beautiful bird, but so flighty. She definitely favors the leghorn side. Her sister (Mutton Chops) is the complete opposite - mellow, friendly, and she favors the Ameraucana side with a pea comb and muffs. Both lay the prettiest blue eggs!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

From the first photo it looks like there is insufficient room on the roosting bar or poll. So your hens are trying to stuff 6 pounds of chicken into a 5 pound sleeping bag. At any rate at roosting time there is a lot of squabbing, pecking, and fighting over the prefered roosting positions and this is likely the result of crowding or over crowding. Yes there may be 10 feet of unused roost pole, but your hens may not prefer it.

 

[rosemarythyme]

My EE tucks herself under (usually) my Buff Rock but she's not doing it to cuddle, my Welsummer picks on her while they're settling in for the night and she's trying to protect her head from being pecked. Once they get settled in the pecking stops and they'll all sit quietly side by side. Probably not the same issue as yours but might be something to look at, if you hear fussing before bedtime.

 

[lazy gardener]

My flock crowd onto the preferred perches, and have a squabble fest every night. One perch goes essentially unused b/c it's a bit lower. And I've seen adult birds crowding under a wing, or even try to climb all the way under a roost mate. Cozy, yes????