Chicks wont roost!

[A.T. Hagan]

Provide them with a roost that's not too high, not too big or small, and not too slick then leave them alone. They'll know when they are ready to use it. Trying to make them use it will only cause more problems than it will solve.

I've had some flocks that were entirely on the roost at three weeks of age. Others still weren't all using one at three months of age. They all started to lay right when they were supposed to.

 

[bobbieschicks]

I'm right there with you! Provided a lovely roost assortment to our 4 week old White Leghorns and still they prefer to pile against the wall at the lower level of the coop - silly girls! I was fighting it by going out at night & putting them on the roost after they fell asleep. Until last night when I just decided to let it happen on its own. They're inside the coop and feel safe in a pile - that's good enough for me. When they're ready - they now have a ladder to get up on the roost and I know they can do it without the ladder b/c they were up there the other day after having been down on the coop floor and I didn't put them up there that time.

I just went out to check on them again and sure enough they were all up on the roost after having spent the night on the floor!

Busted!

 

[JakRat]

WOO HOOO!!! I caught them roosting last night!! It rained last night and the spot that they like to sleep is right up against the chicken wire in the upstairs part of their coop so I think that they didnt like getting wet and figured it out. Thank goodness! They looked super cute up there too

 

[chickens are great 12]

My chickens start off on the floor in the coop to sleep, but after a week or two they should get it. It will take some time but they will get on it!

 

[kindir]

I hatched some chicks from a broody rather than an incubator for the first time and the whole thing has been fascinating! I found that the broody mama made sure those chicks roosted pretty early, I happened to be there as she taught them - she flew up to the roost, back down for encouragement, back up again, back down, etc. until they flew up there.

I hadn't expected them to try to roost quite yet so I didn't have a low one in there yet, it was probably 3 feet high, but by god those chicks flew up there and I have NO idea how, they had barely any feathers!!!

I've really enjoyed the experience of watching chicks grow up the "natural" way with mom and dad (I left the rooster in there with her and he has been a FABULOUS dad). I'll continue to incubate, but there is no question in my mind that they are much more well-adjusted reared by their own kind. Plus it's a LOT easier!

 

[JakRat]

that is soooooo awesome... I probably would have been crying at the joy and beauty of nature. I hope I have atleast one rooster so that I can see it for myself