Chickens with plenty of room choose to sleep in a pile

[aart]

I have some ceramic nest eggs in the nesting boxes since they only started laying about 2 weeks ago. I will probably take them out soon.

No need take fakies out, it won't 'make' them go broody.

 

[Aemilia]

Do they have a chicken ladder to help them up to the roost?

Until they reach POL (point of lay) they will change plumage several times thus often lacking the appropriate wing feathering to reach higher roosts without a ladder and building the bad habit of piling on the ground or in nest boxes.

Consider ta chicken ladder and turning your roost bar flat side up to provide more comfort and less pressure on their feet soles.

Good idea, I will consider putting a ladder in. My roost is made out of an old branch so it doesn’t really have a flat side, but I made sure it is an appropriate diameter. I have some 2x4 scraps lying around so I might give them some options

 

[ILoveDaffy]

I never had that problem. Mine just sat on it as soon as it was up.

 

[Aemilia]

My guys sleep on the floor too. Why is it wrong?

I was always told they have an instinct to roost and seek it out to be off the ground a bit. But then again I had to train my girls to go in when it gets dark, which is also supposed to be an instinct so i was worried they are stressed or something

 

[LaFleche]

Are there windows in the coop, so they can see inside at dusk to jump up there?

But then again I had to train my girls to go in when it gets dark, which is also supposed to be an instinct so i was worried they are stressed or something

If your coop is too dark they will just want to stay outside as it will be lighter than inside the coop.
You could try and install a little night light using a LED cabinet light or else.

 

[Aemilia]

If your coop is too dark they will just want to stay outside as it will be lighter than inside the coop.
You could try and install a little night light using a LED cabinet light or else.

No windows, just a vent. I used some solar fairy lights that kicked on at dusk to train them and that worked well. When it got dark out, the sensor turned on the lights in the coop and they all went in. Worked like a charm.

 

[rosemarythyme]

My guys sleep on the floor too. Why is it wrong?

It's not "wrong" really, it's just instinctive for most chickens to get up higher to sleep. For the keeper, it's easier to keep things tidy if they sleep on a roost and poop on the ground or a tray (instead of pooping in a big pile and then sitting in it), plus it can help slightly with protecting them from some pests like mites and rats.

 

[Orpingtons Mom]

It's not "wrong" really,...

Thank you for that clarification—I really appreciate it.

 

[Aemilia]

Update: after adding some extra lighting around dusk and manually putting them on the roost for a few nights in a row they got the hang of it