Does my hen have to roost at night?

[cherylgladys]

Barred rocks can be quite bossy

they all seem to get along fine during the day. The Sussex (Georgia) is actually the most aware and curious.

 

[Mamatomany123]

they all seem to get along fine during the day. The Sussex (Georgia) is actually the most aware and curious.

I would go out there when its dark and put her on the roost. Do it every night until she does it on her own. That's how I train my babies.

 

[cherylgladys]

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.

maybe I can push her in the roosting area then and see what happens.....

 

[cherylgladys]

I would go out there when its dark and put her on the roost. Do it every night until she does it on her own. That's how I train my babies.

Yes, I will do that. I am out there every night putting them to bed....they are so spoiled. They had a habit of roosting on TOP of the coop (it is all enclosed) so now I have to put something there so they don't roost on there.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes, I will do that. I am out there every night putting them to bed....they are so spoiled. They had a habit of roosting on TOP of the coop (it is all enclosed) so now I have to put something there so they don't roost on there.

This tells me there's issues with the coop, which may also be why you have a bird not roosting - lack of ventilation/too stuffy, lack of light, lack of space. Any photos of your coop set up for troubleshooting?

 

[cherylgladys]

This tells me there's issues with the coop, which may also be why you have a bird not roosting - lack of ventilation/too stuffy, lack of light, lack of space. Any photos of your coop set up for troubleshooting?

I will send some pics tomorrow....but, she roosts all the time, during the day as I have bars in lots of places set up outside for them. There seems to be plenty of ventilation. At night I even have been keeping a fan on (I live in hot Sacramento) She might feel too crowded with the other two..thanks for you help!

 

[aart]

Am betting this is one of those tiny prefab coops with no ventilation and roosts at same level as nests. Mods maybe possible.

 

[cherylgladys]

For all that are still watching this post....(I am new at posting!) here are the pictures of my coop and it is surrounded by shade cloth wire and I just put up some shade cloth to shade the sun. During the day or at night I can lift up the shade cloth for ventilation if needed. Anyway, here are the dimensions....and for now, it will be impossible for me to change them....the interior where the chicks spend the night with the roosting bar in the center is 27" wide and 28" long. The nesting area where I mentioned Georgia sleeps is 28" x 15". (fake egg in there!) Outside the enclosed coop area there is plenty of room for them to roam during the day....

 

[cherylgladys]

This tells me there's issues with the coop, which may also be why you have a bird not roosting - lack of ventilation/too stuffy, lack of light, lack of space. Any photos of your coop set up for troubleshooting?

I posted the dimensions and pictures today. Thanks for your help and comments!

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Am betting this is one of those tiny prefab coops with no ventilation and roosts at same level as nests. Mods maybe possible.

You called it.