Do I need a different roost?

[Tlco]

Hello bought my chickens from local "breeder" aprox 1 month ago. He had a huge Turkey barn sectioned off in large coops/pens with stair step roosts close to the the ground. My chickens all hens are almost 4 to 5 mo old (4 are older then the other 2). They roost on the ground next to the wire fence or next to the water bucket. I have gone out at night and placed then on the roost inside the laying house and have also put them on the long roost on the fence...yet they still will not get up there by themself. Do I need a different roost?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

It might be too high for them. Apart from one hen, I've never had birds jump if they think they won't make it to the ledge

 

[Tlco]

It might be too high for them. Apart from one hen, I've never had birds jump if they think they won't make it to the ledge

Yes I thought that might be the case, my other hens and rooster (no longer with us attacked and killed by predators) that we had use to roost on top of the chicken laying house (same one in the photos) but we had an old metal ladder in the coop and they use to roost on it too. Just recently took out the ladder and added the long roost for the new hens. Guess I will lower it and see if that helps. Thank you

 

[RojoMarz]

Maybe they would prefer a 2x4 to the round rod?

 

[rosemarythyme]

What does the roost inside look like (actually inside of coop shots would be good)? The roost outside is too narrow and possibly too close to wall? Needs at least 12" from wall, hard to tell from photo how close it is.

As for the coop, reason I ask for photos... how well lit and ventilated is it inside? And how do they get in there? I don't see a ramp or entry, other than the hatch that's hanging open. Do the birds ever go inside the coop at all? How many birds do you have vs. how much sq ft floor space in the coop (not counting nests) and roost space (in linear ft)?

 

[Tlco]

What does the roost inside look like (actually inside of coop shots would be good)? The roost outside is too narrow and possibly too close to wall? Needs at least 12" from wall, hard to tell from photo how close it is.

As for the coop, reason I ask for photos... how well lit and ventilated is it inside? And how do they get in there? I don't see a ramp or entry, other than the hatch that's hanging open. Do the birds ever go inside the coop at all? How many birds do you have vs. how much sq ft floor space in the coop (not counting nests) and roost space (in linear ft)?

Thank you for your reply. The house has 2 short roosting bars and 3 nest boxes...it is solely for laying and sleeping. (Will add photos asap) The door stays open all the time. They are never shut up in that house for any reason. We had a ladder for them to help them get in it but they would not try at all. So we made the hatch onto a platform hoping they would just hope/fly up there. My last set or chickens flew up to the top of the nesting house and roosted there at night most of the time. Unfortunately due to pour planning on predator proofing a coon got in and killed most of them we rehomed the rest for their protection. (We now have it secured from predictors) We just put up the roost on the fence. It may not be far enough off the fence wall although when i put them up there they have plenty of room their butts don't hit the wall or even come close to it. Maybe we should put the metel ladder back and see if that helps.

 

[Homesteadermomma6382]

Ive found my chickens will roost where they want to roost. I have good size enclosures in their yard. They use one for laying and they other to jump up into the giant pine tree to roost at night. Even the girls I added last week slept in the tree the first night. On very cold winter days they will huddle in the building but other than that the goats lay on them lol

 

[aart]

We just put up the roost on the fence. It may not be far enough off the fence wall although when i put them up there they have plenty of room their butts don't hit the wall or even come close to it.

Might be too small in diameter?
Should be at least 2".......or 3-4" would be much better.

 

[Tlco]

Success, the 2 older ones, Branhams, are up in the nesting boxes clucking. They are flying up to the ledge and going inside. The Self Blue Cochins are hoping up there too. Hopefully, the 2 (that I can't remember their bread) that are 1 month behind will join when ready. We are gonna move the roosting bar down lower its crazy but my younger ones have started flying up there they seam to be able to fly the best.