Chickens not using perch in new coop

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

From what I’ve heard I can depend on the chickens or the height of the roost they can have trouble getting up or down from the roost because of their feathers so they tend to prefer a lower roost. I have one friend who made hers a ramp to get up!

Oh yes high roosts are a problem since Silkies don't fly. I've always had low roosts, plus a ramp too They all use the ramp even though they could easily just step up on to the roost!

 

[Sycamore Hill Chicks]

Chicks roost sooner if someone (doesn't even have to be mama) shows them how. I don't train my chicks to roost, but they've always followed adults (or in my first batch, I had added started pullets that had been around other adults) up onto roost with no interference from me.

Without adults to show them, IF you want them to roost now, you'll need to manually place them on the roost at dark to show them that's where they should be. Conversely, if you don't want to bother with that, if you leave them to their own devices they should figure it out over time, but it can take weeks.

Yes I let my babies do their own thing and started roosting consistently around 16 weeks.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Why are they not using the perch?

Probably because they don't want to yet. I don't have a clue what your coop looks like or how it is laid out and all I know about your chicks is their age and they are sleeping in a corner. It is possible there is something about your conditions that is having an effect but what you describe is normal for mine.

My brooder-raised chicks tend to start roosting somewhere around 10 to 12 weeks of age when there are no adults around. Broody-raised chick are different but I don't think that is what you are talking about. Until mine start roosting they sleep in a group in a corner.

If you really want to you can wait until after dark so they can't see to fly down and set a couple on the roosts. You don't need to do them all, usually when one starts the rest soon follow. Be consistent and put the same ones up there every night. It usually doesn't take long. Personally I don't bother but it will not hurt anything to train them.

 

[Annalyse]

I gave my chickens a perch in the brooder to see what thell do. some thought it was a playgorund but it did teach them as soon as I put them in the new coop

 

[Peggysaurus]

My chicks did the same thing. When I first put them outside a few months ago, they all huddled in the corner of the coop. I kept putting one on the perch about every day or so. They eventually got it and are all now roosting on the coop .

 

[Chickassan]

Some chicks are just slow.
Some chicks just enjoy a pile.
It isn't anything to worry about, they'll roost or at least try when they're ready.
If they try but then revert back to a pile then something is wrong with your setup.

 

[aart]

I don't have a clue what your coop looks like or how it is laid out and all I know about your chicks is their age and they are sleeping in a corner.

Yes, would be good to see pics of coop and roosts...and know how many chicks.