chickens going to roost

[PerryChick67]

I am raising my first flock of chickens. I have 6 Buff Orpingtons (all females). I usually put them in the coop from their enclosed run in the evening. Do they learn to go in to roost themselves, or if I don't put them inside, will they just sleep outside in the run? Thanks.

 

[PerryChick67]

Oh, if it helps, they are 12 weeks old now. I work 7pm to 7 am 3 nights a week. The chickens are "my thing" and my husband does not want to have to put them away each night. I was wondering if I need to put them away before I go to work or if they will put themselves in for the night.

 

[Den in Penn]

They do learn to roost themselves. And they may sleep in the run if you don't put them in. The coop is usually safer so I'd put them in the coop before you go to work. Once you are sure they are roosting by themselves and the run us secure you could let them do their thing when you go to work.

 

[Tigertrea]

I was SO worried about mine roosting. They would rest and play on the roost I had in their coop but, they would not roost at night. They would go into the coop and sleep in a pile. I finally decided to put up my "permanent" roosts for them and a ladder. (before that I had one that was a little thin for them and only 1.5' off the floor) It took all of 3 days before all my chickens were roosting. That was a week ago at 11 weeks. They had been in their coop for a few weeks already and started putting themselves in at sundown the first day I let them out. I also keep feed in the coop, not the run so they are in and out all day and have a ramp (though they don't really need it) into the coop so that they feel as secure as possible. I had also not allow them into the run until I was sure they were "comfortable" in the coop...that took 1 night LOL. I never "forced" or even coaxed them outside but, I didn't coddle them inside either...they loved the greens in the run and I'd put treats in the run but, I would not make it "easy" on them and put treats/greens in the coop l...if they wanted it they had to get up the courage to go get it lol

My moral....they do roost on their own but, I think (in all my 12week experience) you need to make sure they have reason to do it and it is not "scary" for them....IE ramps, comfortable, inviting roosts. I like having food and water in the coop so that they go in and out all day and i don't have to worry about putting them up early or letting them out late since they have enough room, food and water.

 

[PerryChick67]

they all went in to roost tonight. Maybe I was expecting them to go in too early? It was dark when we got home tonight and all 6 were in and roosting.