Does it matter if chickens won't roost?

[EggBreakfast]

So last night when I locked up I tried placing the girls on the roost - they wouldn't have any of it and scampered back to their preferred corner. Then I got to watch the most amusing display of unders and overs I've ever seen.

Each one would try and push underneath another so they had the coziest bottom spot, then the top one would get indignant and put herself on the bottom. All three chattering away wildly the whole time. By the time they finally settled down it looked like my SLW was brooding the other two as they'd snuggled so far under her.

 

[imthedude]

Quote:
mine go through the same routine every night.

 

[tcanepa]

I have 4 13 week females that dont roost at night either. They still like to snuggle together on the floor of the coop. They have a few really nine roosts outside and they use them all day. But at night they ignore the roosting branches. Now that i have uncovered the nest boxes (2) they try to all fit together in them at night. Any suggestions or just leave them alone? thanks

 

[Atomic Ranch]

Some of mine do that, and I've left them to their own devices thus far. They're 20 weeks, and have been outside since 6 weeks. Nine use the roost pole in the coop, but my two Delawares, two Buff Orps, and Cochin roo won't get up on them... they snuggle on the floor as well.

Also funny is that there are two perfectly fine poles-- parallel and only a few feet away. ALL of them sleep on one pole but NOT the other! It's like it's The Loser Pole or something.

 

[WriterChick]

I have Buff Os, Black Australorps and a Barred Rock and they also like to snuggle on the floor of the henhouse at night, but like to roost outside in the run during the day. I have a 2x4 (flat) above the nest boxes with a poop board - they won't use it. And I built a removable roost 5 inches off the coop floor that I have removed permanently as they lay all around it but never use it. I do keep the floor of the house fluffed up with pine shavings so it's soft and warm, but I'm perplexed. They loved to roost in the brooder when they were little, and they use the roosts outside.

What gives?

 

[CrazyFowlFreak]

My Production Reds, Wyandottes, and Faverolles all don't roost.

 

[gryeyes]

I have never moved my floor sleepers to the roost bars. Eventually, they all figure(d) it out, really.

I think it takes practice and confidence in balancing to actually roost and SLEEP on a bar - no matter how wide- at night, and the youngsters without chicken mommies who brooded them do not trust their ability to balance as they fall asleep. Roosts in coops are higher and scarier than those in brooders!

I let them discover they can do it at their own speed. Eventually, all mine have graduated to the roosts. I have a broody mom with chicks right now, and she is still sleeping on the floor with them. Shell take them to the roost before too long, though. The mommy-less chicks just take longer to become comfortable and confident of their skills.

 

[Rachy]

I have two twenty week old Pekins, they refuse to roost!