Do I need to teach my chickens how to perch?

[shannan]

My chickens are 10 weeks and at night they all gather and sit in one of the nest boxes. SHould I be teaching them to sit on the perches at night? Someone told me it can effect their legs if they don't, is that true....?

 

[gritsar]

Since they are just ten weeks old, I would close off the nest boxes for now. You can cut pieces of cardboard to fit over them.
Assuming you have suitable roosts for them, you may have to go in after dark for a few nights and move them to the roosts. A small penlight works great for this task because it will allow you to see without being enough light to get them up and moving around.
You want to break the habit of sleeping in the nest boxes now or once they start laying you'll be dealing with some very dirty eggs each day.
Also, make sure that your nest boxes are lower than your lowest roost. Good luck!