Does my hen have to roost at night?

[cherylgladys]

Hi there - I am new at chickens...I have three hens at about 16 weeks. I have a rather small coop, but enough room for three of them at night and there is a roosting bar in there, but one of them doesn't sit on the roosting bar, she is always in the nesting box. She has does that all the time. Is it important for chicks to roost at night on a bar? Thanks ahead of time for your advice.

 

[Climax]

She is perfectly fine, as long as she sleeps, the roost is just to make them feel safer like they are up high in a tree.

 

[cherylgladys]

Oh good, she's such a sweetie and I want her to be happy! Thanks!

 

[Mamatomany123]

Sleeping in the nesting box is not something you want them to do. What is your coop measurements?

 

[Climax]

Sleeping in the nesting box is not something you want them to do. What is your coop measurements?

Yeah they can get the best boxes dirty and poopy at night but I really doubt it's harmful to the bird in general.

 

[cherylgladys]

Yeah they can get the best boxes dirty and poopy at night but I really doubt it's harmful to the bird in general.

It's at night now, I will measure the coop area where they sleep tomorrow. She is a Speckled Sussex, the other two are Barred Rocks and take over the roosting bar in there, but there is room for one more to hang out. They seem to get along fine...so, I won't worry yet....thanks!

 

[pennyJo1960]

What breed might I ask my silkie and my cochin do not roost they sleep on the floor.. My cochin is big birdI gave her steps to roost

 

[pennyJo1960]

Barred rocks can be quite bossy

 

[Mamatomany123]

Yeah they can get the best boxes dirty and poopy at night but I really doubt it's harmful to the bird in general.

It actually can be harmful. Chickens poop all of the time, even at night, so if shes sleeping in the box then shes sleeping in her own feces.

 

[cherylgladys]

I have one Speckled Sussex and two Barred Rocks. The Sussex is the one that sleeps in the nesting box, always does.