Chicks not roosting

[Foghorn Rock]

I put my 6 week old barred rocks in their coop a couple days ago and for some reason they are not getting on their roosts.Is it still to soon to worry if I didnt do something right or are they just too young?Only reason I was concerned is they want to huddle up on the ground right by the wire and I worry that a cat or coon might reach in.For now I lined the outside with plywood so I think they are ok .I may have the ramp at too much a angle even though I have seen them about half way up.I put my leghorns in their coop and they roosted the first night and I think they were about the same age.

 

[jpajcoll]

MY chicks didn't roost until they were about 3 to 4 months old so you don't need to worry. When there ready they will just roost away..

 

[dacjohns]

Sometimes they might need a little help or encouragement. I had a hen teach her chicks how to roost. My wife watched it happening and it was pretty cute.

I started teaching my hatchery chickens (11 weeks old) by placing them on the roost. After a few got the hang of it the rest seem to be following suit. I might have been rushing them too.

 

[thechickenchick]

Oh! I have SO been there! I thought it was just me, that I had ,forgive me, stupid chickens! I found out here though that I wasn't alone. For 3 or 4 nights I had to go out and pick them up off the floor and place them on the roost one at a time! Then I would beg them, one by one, PLEASE be a chicken tonite!

It worked! I actually snuck out at 4 AM one morning and peeked in the window to catch them on the roost! Now I have a second batch and most of them are learning by example but I have a few that sleep on the feeder! It might take a few nights but you can train them. Good luck!

 

[MissPrissy]

The chicks don't have a mother hen to teach them all of these things. So, you are now the momma hen. When you want them to do something you have teach them to do it. Go out at night and put them on the roosts. After a while they will hang of it and will go to roost on their own.

 

[kellim]

Mine learned to roost by watching my older ones. We had 15 week olds in one pen and my 10 week olds in another seperate pen though they could see each other and the little ones watched the big ones and learned how that way. It was really sweet to see the little ones trying out what they saw the big ones do!

 

[key west chick]

My almost 7 week old araucanas started when I put them outside at 5 weeks. They had a long stick in their baby box and could see me game chickens at night. They are finally out of the baby box and in their coop now. It's so cute seeing 15 little faces or fuzzy butts all lined up!

 

[HBarker]

our rhode reds are about 9 weeks old,,, we just finished our coop and ours seem not to want to roost at nite,
rather sleep in the shavings,

one the roost ,, mine are 8 inches apert and run at a 45 deg angle up to the nesting boxes,

also ,, should we cover the nest ,to keep them out till time to lay there eggs,, or leave it open??
thanks,. great forum you guys got here

 

[Pampered Poultry]

I am having the same problem with my 10 week old Golden Comets. They pile up together in the nesting box and I have no idea how to get them out. I was wondering if my roosts were too small or not angled properly or something like that. And how do I get them out of the habit of sleeping in the box before they begin laying in the next 5 to 6 weeks?

 

[dacjohns]

Quote:
It's easy to get them out of the box. Reach and grab them. To keep them out until you want them in just block the way in and open it up in the morning. They should get the hang of it pretty quick.

If you can't do the above then maybe a coop and box redesign.