Chicken Won't Roost

[Aunt Angus]

I have a normally lovely White Cochin named Iris (about 19 months) who has always refused to roost. She prefers instead to sleep on the poop board under the other roosting birds. Every night, I put her up on the roost. And every night, after I lock everything up, she hops down. As you can imagine, she is a poopy mess.

Any advice about how I can keep her from being pooped on?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

How much roost space do you have? Are there multiple options? Some like a wider roost, or a flat place to sleep. If she's bottom bird she may be avoiding more dominant birds.

You need to figure out which it is.

 

[Aunt Angus]

How much roost space do you have? Are there multiple options? Some like a wider roost, or a flat place to sleep. If she's bottom bird she may be avoiding more dominant birds.

You need to figure out which it is.

Thanks for the reply! There are 2 options: a 2x3 and a 2x4, both flat side up. I have 9 ft of roost for 6 birds (my Silkies sleep on the floor, but not under anyone, thank goodness). She is not a bottom bird as far as chicken politics go, but she might be avoiding my rather "eager" cockerel. But this behavior predates the cockerel's arrival...

I am using a temporary coop at the moment as I am between houses and planning a big move. I am living with my mom (a situation akin to a bad sitcom), and I was unable to take my big, gorgeous coop with me after I sold my house. But the not-roosting-thing predates the move, too. She's done this since I put her outside as a wee one. I've lowered the roost, too, so it's only 6 in up. The other roost is only 8 in up. Everyone else is happy. Even my bottom-most hen on the pecking order roosts with the rest of them....

Should I add a 3rd roost? One just off the coop floor?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would try adding another roost, but I would try something like a 6-8 inch wide board. Some of mine prefer a flat surface to roost on. She may not be comfortable gripping a roost board.

 

[aart]

I have lots of roost, but a few birds that habitually sleep on the poop board(which is cleaned daily)......I rarely see any copious poop on the board sleepers so not worried about it.
Even of you add a roost close to the floor, she may still want to sleep on the board.