Chickens will not roost!! Tried everything!!

[6chickens in St. Charles]

I bet they roost on you.

Nothing like a nice soft lap, right?

 

[elmo]

Quote:
A chicken's foot isn't designed to wrap around a round perch. That might be your problem right there. Chickens prefer flatter, wider perches. Many people use the wide side of a 2" by 4" with the edges sanded down for standard chickens.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Quote:
Nope, not true. But when they lay in there, it will be in a nest full of poop.

I use round tree branches as roosts. Some roost on the end where the round tree branches are larger diameter, about 3" in diameter. Some roost on the end where the round tree branches are smaller in diameter, about 1-1/2" in diameter. On both ends when they roost, they wrap their toes around the branch, at least as far as they can reach. I have seen them perch, not roost but perch, on the edge of 3/8" thick plywood. I'm not proposing that a roost only needs to be 3/8" thick, just noting that they can perch on something that thin. I like a roost to be at least 1- 1/2" thick so they can better keep their balance. Since you have tried both round and flat roosts with the same result, I sincerely doubt that is your problem. And I also doubt that the first chickens that started roosting in trees found flat tree branches to roost on. Wide tree branches probably, but not flat.

 

[city kid farm]

My girls did that too, the clustered on a small ledge - almost on top of one another! I read somewhere (probably here) to pick them up when they were tired and put them on the roosts. It only took two times and now they do it on their own.

I don't know if you've tried, but it may be worth a shot.

 

[edselpdx]

A couple of suggestions. Mine roost fine on a 2 x 4 with the wide (flat) side up that's above their nesting box. Make sure your roost bar is higher than the nest box to discourage nest box sleeping (and therefore pooping). Make sure they have access to the coop and roost before it is totally dark (as stated in previous posts). Your roost bar should not be too narrow. They seem to prefer to sit on top of their feet, rather than wrapping feet around a small round bar. Yours clearly have the instinct to roost, as they previously used the ledge you describe to roost. The suggestion I have is to wait until they are up for the night, and then go into the coop and place them up on the roost every night. They'll be easy to move in the dark, and may get the hang of it that way. Really, they'll learn. Just make sure they have the right spot to do it.

 

[urbanchicks76]

ok so here is an update. I have been turing on the light for them to see just enough to get on the roost. For the past 5 nights I have been going out and putting them on the roost once they have been in for a while. At least they are not putting up such a fight now when I put them up. Not sure if they are getting the idea but as long as I turn off the light so they can't see well they will stay up there. Hopefully they will get the idea to get up by themselves soon

. Oh yeah by the way the roost is the highest spot in the coop like many of you suggested. My hens are either super stubborn or just plain lazy

 

[greathorse]

Have you raised the roost higher than the egg boxes, or lowered the egg boxes? Beleive me they will roost on their own they are chickens after all.

 

[urbanchicks76]

greathorse Yes the roost is higher than the nesting box my hens just dont get it. Day 7 and still putting them up

 

[SkyWarrior]

A couple of odd questions:

1. Do you have enough space between the roost and the wall/object behind the roost?

2. How high is the roost? Mine are 2 feet off the ground and my chicks love them.

I used a round dowel for one roost and a small pine tree with the limbs cut off for the second roost.

 

[Beekissed]

Quote:
A chicken's foot isn't designed to wrap around a round perch. That might be your problem right there. Chickens prefer flatter, wider perches. Many people use the wide side of a 2" by 4" with the edges sanded down for standard chickens.

I would have to disagree with this one....they are very much designed to perch on a rounded roost. Bend a chicken's leg at the elbow, which is how they perch and watch their feet contract. It is a natural tendon reflex for birds to have their toes flex into this position when the elbow bends...this is how birds of all sizes manage to sleep on a limb without falling off. This position helps lock those toes around the perch, even while the bird is relaxed.

For the OP...you might try bringing an older, more experienced bird into your little flock. Birds will often follow the leader and mimic the behaviours of older birds. If not, I would check the questions in the previous post....are your perches difficult to access/fly up onto? Are they too close to a wall to provide a safe landing? Are the roosts too near the roof/ceiling for the birds to get up on them with plenty of head room? Do you need a ladder to encourage these birds to go higher each time they roost? Are your roosts higher than your nests boxes...if not, they need to be.

You shouldn't need a light, as birds usually hit the roosts before it gets dark.