Chickens wont roost...HELP!!!

[Broncos52]

How do i get these hens to sleep on their roosting poles? I had the nesting boxes blocked off for the last 3 weeks but they just huddle on the ground when i open it they huddle in the back nesting box. I added 2 solar lights they still wont go on them. Is it the material? Should i try natural sticks? I need some help as they are pretty close to laying i don’t want them pooping and sleeping in the nesting boxes.

 

[RojoMarz]

Did you or are you placing them on the roost after dark, to help train them?

 

[Broncos52]

Did you or are you placing them on the roost after dark, to help train them?

I try to go out and keep it super dark but i feel like they freak out when i try and grab them. I guess just keep trying? I haven’t tried again cause it seemed to make the situation worse ha.

 

[mommiesrcool]

I try to go out and keep it super dark but i feel like they freak out when i try and grab them. I guess just keep trying? I haven’t tried again cause it seemed to make the situation worse ha.

I had this problem but I would go at night and I would put them all on the roost bar and make sure the next boxes are coved so that they don't think that's where they sleep and poop in. How old are they?
Advice for when you get more chicks
I noticed that when you get new chicks once they turn about 2 weeks old I like to add little perches so that they will learn to like to roost and then once you move them to their coop go in there every night and put them on the roost and eventually they will do it on their own

 

[chicken1234]

I use 2x4 boards, wider and easier for mine to fly up to. Make sure they have room to launch up to it too. Make sure the roosts are higher than the nest box also.

 

[NatJ]

I notice the roosts are round.

Check to make sure they do not turn when a chicken lands on them--because if they dump the chickens off, that would explain why the chickens don't sleep on them!

 

[mommiesrcool]

I notice the roosts are round.

Check to make sure they do not turn when a chicken lands on them--because if they dump the chickens off, that would explain why the chickens don't sleep on them!

x2 the roost bars i had originally in my coop they didn't seem to like it and when i changed them they seemed to like it a lot more

 

[Broncos52]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I may change the wood out. i literally just caught them all up there so i know the bars are tight enough ( right after i posted this) and they have roosted since they were babies. 17 weeks old now. ( see photo) hopefully they just go up tonight but il gonna try and stick them on tonight i guess thanks for the help.

 

[Broncos52]

still cant get them up there at night ill keep trying

 

[RojoMarz]

still cant get them up there at night ill keep trying

What does that mean? You can't catch them and/or set them on the roost or that they won't stay?

I know when I was 'teaching' mine, it felt like I was herding cats...I'd put one pullet on the roost and get a second. Number 1 would then jump off. I'd put Number 2 on the roost and reach for Number 1. Number 2 then jumps off. I had 7 of them to wrangle with. Rinse and repeat until they finally give up and sit there (at least long enough for me to decide to leave the coop. I have no idea if they stayed after that or not). This process went on for days. One evening I went to do the routine, and wow...one was already sitting on the roost.
Moral of the story, I'm stronger willed than they are