hens won't roost on the roost at night

[Sunshine Chick 1]

We have a 8' X 10' coop and a large run. Our girls have been in there for about 3 weeks now and they are still roosting right inside the door. The first night was the only night they were up on the roost. How do I get them to go up there at night instead of sitting right inside the door? They are about 2.5/ 3 months old so we have not put the nesting boxes on just yet and was going to wait a few more weeks before doing that.

Thanks

 

[agnes_day]

mine just kick back on the floor too..i figure if it makes them happy, so be it!

 

[Ridgerunner]

When they are ready, they will do it. Otherwise, what is being hurt?

You can set them on the roosts every night until they get the hang of it if you want to go top that much trouble. Entirely up to you.

Good Luck!!

 

[thechickenchick]

I went out every night for 3 or 4 nights and placed each and every one up on the roost. I waited until they were asleep so it wasn't as chaotic as it could be!! I only had to do this with my original chickens. The 2 batches that followed have obviously learned by example. Good luck!

 

[ChooksChick]

Mine did that until I set up a light to go on before dusk and off 1/2 hour after dark.

I think there wasn't enough light for them to get up well, since chickens see so poorly in the dark.

Occasionally I've had the light off because I needed the power for something else, and there they were, on the floor all night!

 

[cmom]

Do you have any pictures you can post? I started with the roosts being 1 foot off the floor of the coop. The older they got the higher I would raise the roost. Initially I used a 1"x2" board. Now I use 2"x 4"'s with the 4" side up. Also my roosts are 2'. 3', and 4' up off the floor. They all get on the top one.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I agree. I don't put a light on in my coop. The chickens learn to get on the roosts before it gets totally dark.

 

[momma's chickens]

I also had to put them on the roosts at night for awhile, but after a couple of nights, they got it. This was with the first batch. The older chickens taught the younger by example with the newer batches.