Chicks are 5 weeks old roosting yet or no?

[Jrobinsonmtplus3]

They will play on the roosts and use them as steps to get out of the pool (no big deal) but still prefer to huddle or lay out at night.
Should they be roosting to sleep yet or too early?

 

[RUNuts]

Ours are smashed into one of the nest boxes and are 5 weeks old today. Ever see 21 5 week old chickens in a nest box? Think of the clown cars at the circus.

 

[Jrobinsonmtplus3]

That sounds like a smothering in the making! Sheesh kids! Spread out! Lol

 

[Folly's place]

Chicks raised by a broody will be roosting with mom, but incubator chicks will take longer, and longest if they don't have adults to show them the way. Mary

 

[JstChicken_it]

I have some that are 16 weeks and just started using the roost. I have had them with a few mature hens for the last couple weeks though, so they're learning from them as well. When they were by themselves they would "roost" on a 2"x2" laid on the ground

 

[barred2rock]

Mine we're roughly ten weeks when they started roosting at night. Although they used the roost during the day almost immediately (few days old).

 

[debid]

Mine went up at 5 weeks on the nose (one chick is a week younger so she was 4 weeks). They weren't broody-reared but they were in an outdoor brooder with an electric heating pad hen and could clearly see the adult hens next door. Next best thing, IMO.

They'll go when they're ready. I've never seen adults that preferred to sleep on the floor.