Hens arent using their roost.

[MrChickenGuy]

When my girls go in at night they won't use their roost at all. They all bunch up in a corner to sleep. Is this okay? And if not what can I do to get them to roost?

 

[GitaBooks]

Chickens at a young age may not perch, even if they are fully feathered. They still think they are suppose to be cuddled up with their mother at night, in a nest.

Here are some reasons why they may not be using their perches:
They go in when it is too dark to see them
They are more comfortable on the ground (some hens just like the ground)
They haven't been taught to perch by a mother (probably not the problem)
The perches are too high or too narrow to rest on
The breed is too heavy to stay on the perch

Its not something you really have to worry about. Just make sure the bedding they are on is soft and that it is kept clean (so they don't get blisters). They should learn to start perching eventually.

Best of luck!

 

[SouthernCalEggs]

First few days in the new coop, mine wouldn't roost either. Same thing, they just cuddled up in the corner. It wasn't cold, just comfort. So, after day 3 or 4 of noticing it, I would open the coop and set them up on the roost by hand. That's all it took was 1 time. After that they put themselves to bed and go up on the roost.

 

[MrChickenGuy]

Thank you both!

 

[Dramaqueen21888]

All 5 of my babies (4 months old) still cuddle together on the floor at night. But during the day they hop up on the roosting bar I have for them. They seem happy and fine. So I wouldn't worry about it