Getting chicks to roost?

[The Golden Egg5]

I am not sure if this is in the right place, but I have a question about my chicks roosting. I have 25 birds and about 10 of them will roost, but the others will not. They huddle up in the corner. They are 12 weeks old. The roost is 4 feet tall. Every night I pick up each bird and put them on the roost, which gets very annoying and time consuming. I don't really want to do that forever. Does anyone know why they won't roost and how I can help them?

 

[gamebirdsonly]

I just let mine figure it out on there own. Some just prefer staying on the ground others like to roost as high as they can get.

 

[SueT]

4' is awfully high for a roost. You may need to put intermediate roosts.

 

[Magepalm]

Hmm is it possible they could be cold? The ones that came with my ducklings did it on their own within just a couple days, they would always go on top of the feeder lol. But if they were cold they'd huddle together which is what makes me wonder if that's not what's going on

 

[The Golden Egg5]

It is usually in the 60's at night around here, so I don't think they are cold. I thought about adding lower roosts, but I have seen them fly up that high and I have boxes for them to get closer up to the roost. It is very odd.

 

[centrarchid]

Do you have a cage you can place them in? If yes, then lure birds in at roosting time. Once all in, place cage where you prefer them to roost.

 

[The Golden Egg5]

That's a good idea! The only problem is that I don't know how I would place the cage on the roost without the cage fallowing off.

 

[centrarchid]

Make a temporary modification to roost supporting cage. Or place cage on sae horse or chair.

 

[The Golden Egg5]

That's a good idea! Thank you! I will see what I can do to the roost.

 

[Mrs. K]

What kind of breed? Some don't roost as easily as others.