Chickens Not Sleeping on Roost

[Sadness Child]

Mine graduated up to bigger roosts as they matured. they’re not two by fours but they’re really big branches and small driftwood logs. But I always hear two by fours are great

Ok, I have had no other problems with my previous 3 year old chickens who slept on two by fours.

 

[Slash3]

maybe they are just happy there! Birds don't read boooks, they don't know what we expect. Also, they usually do what they think is safest.

 

[Sadness Child]

maybe they are just happy there! Birds don't read boooks, they don't know what we expect. Also, they usually do what they think is safest.

Yes they do. I figured that is why they stay away from it.

 

[Slash3]

maybe they are just happy there! Birds don't read boooks, they don't know what we expect. Also, they usually do what they think is safest.

have you checked for signs of vermin

 

[MissE]

If they are happy finding their own sleeping spots, let them. They must feel safe where they are. When they get older, they may decide to use the roost. No point in stressing them, or you, out about it.

 

[Sadness Child]

have you checked for signs of vermin

We have a lot of mice in the barn, but I have a Buckeye rooster, and I figure that might hopefully be enough. In the Spring and summer I have squirrels that visit the run and coop to steal food, so we set traps, and dispose of them humanly.

 

[CNJ]

I have always done this, but it have been a week and a half that they have been down on the ground.

That happen to me recently, I gave up and let them do what they wanted. When they got older, they went up by them selves.

 

[rosemarythyme]

How close are those bars to one another, in inches? They look a little too close together, possibly.

Have you tried simply picking them up and putting them on the roosts after dark?

 

[Sadness Child]

How close are those bars to one another, in inches? They look a little too close together, possibly.

Have you tried simply picking them up and putting them on the roosts after dark?

They are close to about 6-7 inches apart, and I have tried to put all of them on there after dark, but once one jumps of they all start following that chickens to the corner.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They are close to about 6-7 inches apart, and I have tried to put all of them on there after dark, but once one jumps of they all start following that chickens to the corner.

Ideally roosts should be at least 12" apart (unless these are all bantams?) so that birds can't peck at each other while they're up on the roost.

I'd keep putting them on nightly until they learn to stick.