Frizzles WON'T ROOST!? What to do?

[ADozenGirlz]

I purchased three of the cutest bantam Cochin Frizzles in January, at which time they were 6 weeks old. I kept them in a brooder in my basement until it was warm enough for them to go into the Big Girl Coop, but by that time they were 4 months old. I had put a little roost in their brooder, but they rarely used it. They became accustomed to huddling in a corner together to sleep and they still do.

When I put them out in the coop, I did so at night and put them on the roost near the other girls, who, as predicted, were not particularly kind to them. They acquired a habit of hunkering down to sleep THE favorite nesting box (which is on the floor) of all the chickens. Needless to say, I didn't appreciate the poop in the nesting box and have had to block off all but 1 nesting box to keep them from sleeping in them. I actually took a cardboard box with a dog house type cut out on the front and hung a little curtain on the entryway to give them a little nest like shelter to sleep in, which they have been doing this week.

I would REALLY like them to learn to roost like real chickens. Is this a pipe dream? If not, what can I do to facilitate the practice?

Here are the offenders: Monica, Rachel and Phoebe:

 

[dieselgrl48]

I raised frizzles for about 4 years.None of mine ever really roosted either.I am lucky enough to have numerous low nest boxes in one coop.Frizzles don't really have the wing feather's to fly very high so....As long as they are comfy they should be just fine.Anyone else can chime in on the subject.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I have frizzles and they roost just fine. They did used to sleep in a corner though also. I think mine were almost close to 8 months before they decided that they would roost finally. My roost is not very far off the ground at all...maybe 18 inches is all. how tall is your roost? And is it round or flat? Birds seem to like the flat side of a 2x4 so they can keep their feet warm on cold nights by sitting on them.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
Our roosts are flat and aren't very high. I even put a ladder in there for them to use if they chose to. ???

 

[The Chickens' Maid]

We have a bantam Cochin frizzle. She won't roost. Period. Six inches up is terrifying for her; she likes the ground very VERY much. Our girl was the only bantam frizzle in the coop (mostly standards). She was very picked on; so she got her own cage that she could go in and out of. Now, we've FINALLY been able to get her into a coop of her own with a rooster and another hen. She seems happier now, though, with a low-key coop. She likes to be babied, and the other hen mothers her. She still has her place to hide, though, and she seems to need it just so she can feel safe.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

The Chickens' Maid :

We have a bantam Cochin frizzle. She won't roost. Period. Six inches up is terrifying for her; she likes the ground very VERY much. Our girl was the only bantam frizzle in the coop (mostly standards). She was very picked on; so she got her own cage that she could go in and out of. Now, we've FINALLY been able to get her into a coop of her own with a rooster and another hen. She seems happier now, though, with a low-key coop. She likes to be babied, and the other hen mothers her. She still has her place to hide, though, and she seems to need it just so she can feel safe.

My Frizzles are such scaredy cats too! It may be a bottom-of-the-pecking-order thing, but I'm thinking not nccessarily b/c I had them in a big brooder with my two, 6wk old EE/BRs for about a week and they hid from them too!

 

[haileychickens]

If it is any consolation my Frizzles, which are about 4 months old aren't roosting either. They huddle together in the corner. They've JUST started going out and exploring and are quite timid. However, i imagine they'll start roosting eventually, I do have a low roost for them. Good luck!

 

[jen5680]

I have 3 frizzle that will and 2 that won't????? Go figure!!
Chickens are crazy!! LOL!

 

[FrizzlesRule]

Those are beautiful Frizzle Cochins. I have a one red and one black Frizzle Cochin. They are so precious, cuddly and tame. You should make yours house pets.

 

[snowflake]

don't know any thing about Frizzles, but those are adorable!!! Like your coop too, is that an electric door?