Hens won't roost at night

[KLD1]

Hello all,

I am new to the chicken community. I have 4 hens that I rescued from a neglectful/abuse situation. They are thriving now (it's been about a month I got them) but I notice that they don't want to use the roosting bar at night they sleep on the coop floor. I know that their previous situation they had roosting bars and would use them but they won't use the one I have. See attached pics

 

[Chookiemom]

How thick is the wood?

 

[Ursuline Chick]

I don't know how different your roost pole is different from the roost pole they had before, but if there is a difference that may be the problem. They may still be getting use to their new home. We use tree branches that are about 2" in diameter, I think.
My husband takes career of that part and he is sleeping right now.
Welcome from New Orleans. Sometimes chickens act a bit strange when they are moved from one home to another. We had 3 that took about 4 or 5 months to start laying again. So be patient with them.

 

[sandburRanch]

The square corners hurt their feet . They prefer round , so install two tree limbs or round wood dowels about 2" diameter as if they were a leaning ladder with the rungs about 10-12 inches apart with the first being 8-10 inches from the dirt .

Let's take a look at another factor while discussing chicken comfort .
We know warmer air rises and chickens aren't dressed very well for warmer weather so they may be on the ground for temperature difference . In one pic it looks as if they're on litter and could be insulating the cooler ground from them . When the roost problem is corrected , if they actually roost , that litter will be moot . Consider ventilation .

 

[Ursuline Chick]

@sandburRanch Thank you, that is the set up we have for our flock, using tree limbs

 

[aart]

Looks like a rounded off 2x?
Can't tell if it's 2x2 or 2x4.

Part of the problem may be that it's at an angle to the coop walls,
which shortens the usable part of the roost length.

 

[aldarita]

I have a different opinion regarding roosts. Chickens are not like other birds that perch on tree branches. They spend most of the time on ground during the day. In my experience 2x4 roosts are better (with the 4 inch side for them to place their feet while roosting) or a wide branch that accommodates their feet without having to bend their toes. This also helps in the winter when they can actually sit on their feet to keep them warm. It might have been that when they were wild long time ago, they perched on trees, however chickens now have been domesticated and their lives changed by us.

 

[Lor]

Is there enough space between roost bar and ceiling?
Just throwing that out there because I can't think of another reason that wasn't already mentioned.
Chickens are strange creatures.

 

[Chookiemom]

I wrap rope on my roosts they seem to prefer it and it supposedly helps prevent bumble foot

 

[KLD1]

How thick is the wood?

The wood is in a square shape 1inX 1in. The total length overall is 55 inchs. It's been sanded down so the corners aren't sharp but also not entirely round.