Chickens are not roosting

[LivingFate]

The chickens are out in there coop now for a few weeks but they wont roost at night? I go to check on them at night and close the door and they all hudle together in the corner to sleep. Is this healthy for them? How do I get them to roost? Why aren't they? There about 3 mths old.

 

[Grindlefamily]

You can try placing them up on the roost, they may not know what it is used for.

 

[LynneP]

Is there any manure on the roosts? Are they higher than the nearest platform or ledge? Mine tend to snuggle down on the floor at 11 weeks of age then later they march up a ramp to the roost. I've caught them only three times in the morning as they tend to come down when they know I'm nearby.

 

[Love my Critters!]

What kind of chickens are they? If they are silkies, they will not roost. They sleep huddled together on the floor or in a nest box.

 

[Sylvie]

My 5 week olds will huddle on the floor together to sleep if the light is off and it's dark. If I leave a dim night light on they get up onto the roosts to sleep.

 

[LivingFate]

There silkies and cochins. No I don't see any feces on the roosts. I'll have to try placing them on them this week then to see if they get it

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

My cochins didn't roost either until I put them up there...turns out they could not fly up there....I stood in there one night and they tried and tried to get up there but were unable to. I set them up there and they stayed. We then added a ramp and not they roost every night.

 

[Teresaann24]

My silkie chick wont roost. He still sleeps in the nest with his mum who is sittin on eggs now is about 8 or 9 weeks now he tries to jump up there I have even lowered the roosting post but still dont roost he has curled toes i tried spliting it when he was younger but he pulled it off everytime. He seems fine and healthy so Im not really worried about him.