Chicken Roost

[nemoandrunt]

This is the first I have heard about a roost! What if my chickens are 2 months old and have never had a roost? Is it too late to train them to get comfortable with the roost? What is wrong with sleeping on the ground?

Thanks!

 

[DawnCols]

I suspect your chickens will find the roost idea pretty natural. The only way to find out is to give them one and see what they do.

Someone else will have to answer what's wrong with sleeping on the ground. Mine are 2 months and like their roost but they still sleep on the ground at night.

 

[Matt A NC]

It is never too late to teach them. I have some smaller freestanding roosts that I put in brooders. They play on them for the first several weeks but still sleep on the floor.

Birds on the floor are easy prey. They can also be more prone to mites and other parasites.

They can get poop on their under feathers that you don't see. I lost a hen to that. When she acted like something was wrong it was too late. Flies had laid eggs in the poop and the maggots had worked their way in until they entered her abdomen.

Matt

 

[nemoandrunt]

Ok, Great! Thank you! Its good to hear yours still sleep on the ground! I just don't want to hurt them!

 

[nemoandrunt]

Matt A NC,

Im sorry to hear about your hen! I am getting a roost tomorrow!! Thanks for the feedback!

 

[hennyannie]

One more pro for the roost: My pullets I got at around 16weeksold did not know what a roost was, boy was the floor a poop pit by the time I convinced them to use roost.

 

[nicokl502]

i have had a roost poll with my gals from when they were 4 weeks old and only ones use it the other one never did get on it i am not sure why they are going on 6 months now . i have some 2 weeks old and i can already tell would love one but i also would love to know why it is not good from them to lay on the ground

 

[Matt A NC]

BTW: I have gotten some birds that are older and did not roost. I spent a week putting them up each night after dark till they figured it out.

Matt

 

[Hoosierchickens]

Chickens usually instinctually roost when they sleep because that's what they would typically do in the wild. Sleeping on a roost is generally more sanitary unless their floor is wire.

 

[nemoandrunt]

thank you!