Fighting for roost space every night

[denco5]

I have 12 chickens that fight like crazy every night for the best roost space, is this normal? They are 15 weeks old and have been on the same roost the whole time. It seems the fighting and arguing is getting worse.

Any ideas?

 

[oldchickenlady]

How big is your roost? I have 12 chickens and 8 feet of roost and it isnt enough. 2 or 3 will roost on the roost support boards and 2 or 3 roost outside in the run up on a second level I built for them. That spreads them out enough where there is no fighting, but I really need to extend the roost around the other wall.

 

[gritsar]

Not trying to be a smart aleck, at all, but... close the door and walk away.

No one drawing blood? Let them figure it out. My older birds are nearly 3 years old. Still have a couple girls that argue over who gets to sleep next to the roo that night.

It's what chickens do.

 

[denco5]

The roost is 8 feet long, it s a 2 x 4. They all fit just fine, matter a fact they all fit on half of it, they are not full grown yet . It seems that being next to the wall is the place they all are try to get to.

And yes i do walk away I just thought I would ask if it is normal

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Absolutely normal.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Mine do this (they have plenty of roost space) and it drives me nuts. I really wish they'd just pick a spot and stay there!!

Yep, just walk away. It's normal and irritating.

 

[Kaceyx73]

Yeah, like everyone else has said, its perfectly normal chicken behavior. I have 2 nice sized roosters and 11 pullets in a 4x6 coop with 2x4 roosts all the way around the inside, plus the middle roost mid height so they can get to the upper ones. Thats right at 2 sqft per bird, with more than enough roosting space for twice that number. Yeah, you guessed it... they still fight over the choice spots which moves every night. As long as no one is getting really mean or hurt, open the door an laugh your you know what off. Thats what I do. The big rooster kept chasing one of the girls away one night... pecks to the head, the wings, shoves, and she wouldn't take no for an answer. His answer? He bit her foot and held on, then raised up flipping her off!!! Once you realize its part of the pecking/roosting order thing, just laugh. Better than WWE or MMA.

Did I mention I have two roosters? Their much expanded run is complete, now its time to work on a new coop. Maybe a detached nest box.... Hmmm.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Mine tend to do that more during their adolescence, when they are deciding who's going to be boss. I don't see that as much when they're older.