Getting littles to use the roosts

[dtabor]

How do you get younger birds to make the plunge and use (fight for a spot) the roosts? I have 12 older birds. The 6 littles will be of laying age next month. They have been raised with the older birds since day one, first in a fenced off section of the henhouse and now pretty much fully integrated except they dont have the guts to go up on the roosts when the big birds are there. I tried putting a couple up there but as soon as the big birds look at them they jump down. They are currently sleeping on the can that the food is in.

 

[rjohns39]

How do you get younger birds to make the plunge and use (fight for a spot) the roosts? I have 12 older birds. The 6 littles will be of laying age next month. They have been raised with the older birds since day one, first in a fenced off section of the henhouse and now pretty much fully integrated except they dont have the guts to go up on the roosts when the big birds are there. I tried putting a couple up there but as soon as the big birds look at them they jump down. They are currently sleeping on the can that the food is in.

Give them time to work it out. Once they become mating age, your roo will invite them in. It will be ugly when it happens--but he'll manage the other hens.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Assuming the roost is enough space for all, you could try putting the 6 on the roost at night when it's dark. May need to do it couple of nights but as rjohns39 says they'll eventually work it out.

I have 4 BO pullets that would not roost! I have a poop board under the "sleep" roost that is so easy cleaning, they'd get up there during the day but sleep on the shavings on the ground. So at 18wks I went out one night & put them all up there. They've been sleeping up there ever since

 

[centrarchid]

This would be a two step process if you are trying to force it. Place a partition on roost that break line of site between dominant birds and the youngsters. Then take away the can or move it closer, incrementally over a couple of days to the roost. After they roost on can when it is close or under the desired roost, then remove the can.