Do chickens naturally perch to sleep? Mine won’t

[HarmonyHomestead]

My 4 hens never did when we put them into the coop (a pre-fab kit with 2 poles a short distance above the floor) from the brooder. At 1yo they still sleep in a pile in one nesting box. I read about people showing them how by lifting them up but never made the effort. We have 6 chicks in the brooder and I worry that the old ones will teach the new bad habits!

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I’d place them on the roosts at night and they should start getting up there. I would also suggest a bigger coop than a prefab. They are never as big as they say.

 

[pennyJo1960]

What breed of birds do you have ?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Generally chickens have the instinct to go higher for protection from predators. Those smaller coops don't allow for that, so it's probably the same as sitting on the floor.

Some birds will sleep in nestboxes if allowed. At this point you would need to retrain your birds to roost. They would need higher roosts to want to naturally do so.

 

[DobieLover]

My 4 hens never did when we put them into the coop (a pre-fab kit with 2 poles a short distance above the floor) from the brooder. At 1yo they still sleep in a pile in one nesting box. I read about people showing them how by lifting them up but never made the effort. We have 6 chicks in the brooder and I worry that the old ones will teach the new bad habits!

You already have 4 hens is a pre-fab coop so I'd be willing to bet quite a lot that you are already at or over capacity for that coop. Where are you planning to keep these 6 additional chickens?
Can you post pictures of this coop? You and your chickens may be best served by starting over in a much larger coop.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If chickens don't like the roosts (whether height, location, material) they won't use them. Yours voted with their feet and you let them get away with it. You need to make adjustments to make them want to use the perch, then retrain them by blocking nest boxes and manually placing them on the roost.

 

[Ms Clucky]

My Took wouldn't roost for a while. Yours probably will soon. Maybe put them on it and quickly shut out any light. They might stay there if they can't see to get down.

 

[HarmonyHomestead]

You already have 4 hens is a pre-fab coop so I'd be willing to bet quite a lot that you are already at or over capacity for that coop. Where are you planning to keep these 6 additional chickens?
Can you post pictures of this coop? You and your chickens may be best served by starting over in a much larger coop.

We got the biggest one Tractor Supply had- says it fits 18 birds but I don’t believe it. We will build a bigger run on before adding the new birds.

Thanks all for the suggestions- maybe we will try to move up the poles a little higher and train them.

 

[aart]

Not sure if you have the same pre-fab but this is the best mod I've seen...
.....might give you some ideas.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134399/help-hens-roosting-in-nest-boxes/10#post_17749535

Post some pics of, or a link to, the coop and you might get some better suggestions.

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[HarmonyHomestead]

Not sure if you have the same pre-fab but this is the best mod I've seen...
.....might give you some ideas.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134399/help-hens-roosting-in-nest-boxes/10#post_17749535

Post some pics of, or a link to, the coop and you might get some better suggestions.

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1705257

Thanks! We could certainly do that.
We added a frame on the bottom for support and wheels to turn it into a movable/“tractor” design.