Chickens won’t roost

[aart]

Post pics of coop showing the roosts.

 

[Suejordn]

This is my thread, but I’m having the same problem. I hope the OP doesn’t mind me chiming I’m here too. Here is my roost. It’s pretty low because originally we built it thinking we would just have silkies, but when they all grow up 6 out of 7 were roosters so we added a couple more bantams which just snuggled up with my remaining silkie and they never rooster.

 

[mommiesrcool]

I have the same problem my chicks are 7 weeks old and the nest boxes are blocked off but sometimes they go on the roost but they usually sleep in the corner right next to the nest boxes, if i put them on the roost bar they will stay there

 

[viggo63]

Do they perch on any type of bar or log? Maybe try something that is more appealing, like an actual tree branch or try different sizes or shapes. If they don't know how to perch, start with wider logs right on the ground. My first chickens preferred to sleep on a little bench, but their back ends got so filthy I took the bench out. That was the only drawback I saw. Now that they're on a branch, all the night poops fall away.

 

[Compost King]

my chicks are 7 weeks old a

at 7 weeks sleeping on the floor/ground is common. Sometimes they roost that young but not always.

 

[mommiesrcool]

at 7 weeks sleeping on the floor/ground is common. Sometimes they roost that young but not always.

the way I get them to go up there is I put them up there and they would get a treat but I only do that maybe 3 times a week and sometimes they even go up there themselves

 

[Suejordn]

When they wake up and I open the door I see them on the bar but for some reason they only sleep on the floor. Is it bad for them to sleep on the floor?

Do they perch on any type of bar or log? Maybe try something that is more appealing, like an actual tree branch or try different sizes or shapes. If they don't know how to perch, start with wider logs right on the ground. My first chickens preferred to sleep on a little bench, but their back ends got so filthy I took the bench out. That was the only drawback I saw. Now that they're on a branch, all the night poops fall away.

Do they perch on any type of bar or log? Maybe try something that is more appealing, like an actual tree branch or try different sizes or shapes. If they don't know how to perch, start with wider logs right on the ground. My first chickens preferred to sleep on a little bench, but their back ends got so filthy I took the bench out. That was the only drawback I saw. Now that they're on a branch, all the night poops fall away.

 

[Compost King]

the way I get them to go up there is I put them up there and they would get a treat but I only do that maybe 3 times a week and sometimes they even go up there themselves

I always put mine on the roosts at night their first night in a coop, half the time they just keep roosting and the other half they sit in the bedding. Never used treats but I would if I was heavily concerned about them not roosting. Eventually they start roosting so I never sweat it.

 

[mommiesrcool]

I always put mine on the roosts at night their first night in a coop, half the time they just keep roosting and the other half they sit in the bedding. Never used treats but I would if I was heavily concerned about them not roosting. Eventually they start roosting so I never sweat it.

i use sand as my bedding because i used wood chips and my hens got a respiratory disease

 

[ILoveDaffy]

Mine just decided to use it as they got older.