Diametre of a roost for chicks?

[09northernchick]

I tried placing a couple of dowel roosts in my brooder today. Either it is too small in diameter or they don't know what to do with it. What's an approx. diameter for a roost for one week old chicks?

 

[realmofthewoodsranch]

Try using your fingers and see how well they hold onto your fingers. Usually at a week old, they aren't too terribly adept at roosting anyways. I just let my peeps hang out on my fingers for practice and then once they're older, then try out a dowel or a 1x board so that they have something flat to perch on at first. Round is more difficult than flat.

 

[lisahaschickens]

I agree with getting them something flat.

Also, many chickens don't roost until they are much, much older. I had one who wanted to do it at a week old... and more of them started to try it at about four weeks, and by about 6 weeks they could all do it. They didn't sleep up there until they were about 8-10 weeks old, though, and many people told me that was still early.

Your little ones just may not be interested in perching yet, so give them some time. But, often they will enjoy jumping up and down off of things at that age, so try something flat and it might do the trick.

 

[09northernchick]

Great! Thanks for the insight and advice!

 

[cmom]

I used a broom handle.