Guidelines for roosting bar

[Outdoorlover]

Hubby built me a roosting bar out of 2x4s, and screwed it on top of the nesting boxes. The pullets can get on it, yet they continue to sleep piled up on the floor like they did when they were babies!
Are they too young to roost, or is there something wrong with the roosting bar placement?

 

[Lamaremybabies]

I'd recommend moving them. Having roosting bars above the nest boxes isn't the best because when they poop at night it will fall in/on them depending on if the boxes are covered and hens want dry clean boxes. How old are your chickens? They might not be able to get on the roosts or it could be that they don't understand what they are for. When you lock them up at night check to see if the are going up there at all and if not then place them on it

 

[EvansMeXo]

My 2 week old chick likes to rooster so I think maybe they don't know what to do with it?? My chicks had a branch on the floor, and a roosting bar in the brooder and they love to roost.. have you tried moving them up from the floor at bedtime?
I'm new to this so I'm not sure if that'll help but maybe they'll figure out that's where they should sleep?

 

[Outdoorlover]

I'd recommend moving them. Having roosting bars above the nest boxes isn't the best because when they poop at night it will fall in/on them depending on if the boxes are covered and hens want dry clean boxes. How old are your chickens? They might not be able to get on the roosts or it could be that they don't understand what they are for. When you lock them up at night check to see if the are going up there at all and if not then place them on it

We decided to put the roosting bar there, to save room in the coop.
The boxes are extra large (don't know exact size but were made for English Orpingtons) 2x4 bar sits in the middle and there is plenty of room on both sides of it, plus the front of the nesting boxes have an overhang to prevent droppings from falling in

My pullets are 4 months old! They do get on the roosting bar but just to look out the window for a few minutes then they pretty much rather be on the floor

 

[Egghead_Jr]

If they want to be on the floor then let them. Really don't see a problem with it as long as they don't sleep in the nesting boxes.

I'd think they'd prefer to be roosting by now, no biggie if not and believe they will take to it before long.

 

[Lamaremybabies]

We decided to put the roosting bar there, to save room in the coop.
The boxes are extra large (don't know exact size but were made for English Orpingtons) 2x4 bar sits in the middle and there is plenty of room on both sides of it, plus the front of the nesting boxes have an overhang to prevent droppings from falling in

My pullets are 4 months old! They do get on the roosting bar but just to look out the window for a few minutes then they pretty much rather be on the floor

Hmmmm okay.

I mean I guess sleeping on the floor won't hurt them but it sure is odd. Chickens naturally want to be high up to stay safe from predators but I guess not yours. Haha

 

[Mrs. Light Sussex]

This question was asked quite a few times here on BYC. Some say as long as there are no predators - no problem. Others (and I agree with them) say that since chickens poop mainly during their sleep, it isn't healthy for them to sleep in feces, additionally, it will make cleaning up after them much more work.

Here are some links for your reference:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chickens-will-not-roost-tried-everything.364272/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/what-happens-if-chickens-dont-roost.1125564/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/getting-pullets-to-sleep-on-the-roosting-bar.818788/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/does-it-matter-if-chickens-wont-roost.330307/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/brahma-hens-dont-roost.1171146/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/cochin-hens-wont-roost.455482/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...health-reasons-mine-are-pile-sleepers.841249/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/why-wont-my-chickens-use-their-roosting-bar.784428/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chickens-dont-use-the-roost-bar.79789/

 

[Outdoorlover]

This question was asked quite a few times here on BYC. Some say as long as there are no predators - no problem. Others (and I agree with them) say that since chickens poop mainly during their sleep, it isn't healthy for them to sleep in feces, additionally, it will make cleaning up after them much more work.

Here are some links for your reference:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chickens-will-not-roost-tried-everything.364272/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/what-happens-if-chickens-dont-roost.1125564/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/getting-pullets-to-sleep-on-the-roosting-bar.818788/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/does-it-matter-if-chickens-wont-roost.330307/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/brahma-hens-dont-roost.1171146/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/cochin-hens-wont-roost.455482/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...health-reasons-mine-are-pile-sleepers.841249/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/why-wont-my-chickens-use-their-roosting-bar.784428/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chickens-dont-use-the-roost-bar.79789/

Thank you!

Hmmmm okay.

I mean I guess sleeping on the floor won't hurt them but it sure is odd. Chickens naturally want to be high up to stay safe from predators but I guess not yours. Haha

Lol I'm pretty sure the only predator they thought they've seen so far, was my vacuum cleaner when they were still in my basement!

 

[aart]

Hubby built me a roosting bar out of 2x4s, and screwed it on top of the nesting boxes. The pullets can get on it, yet they continue to sleep piled up on the floor like they did when they were babies!
Are they too young to roost, or is there something wrong with the roosting bar placement?

Post a pic?

 

[Lamaremybabies]

Thank you!

Lol I'm pretty sure the only predator they thought they've seen so far, was my vacuum cleaner when they were still in my basement!

Hahaha that explains it.