Hi everyone!

[RootedTogetherHomestead]

Hi everyone, we have six 15-week pullets. We have 2 Barred Rocks (Midnight & Butterfly), 2 Golden Lace Wyandottes (Marigold & Sunshine), 1 Sapphire Gem (Violet), and 1 Easter Egger (Lavender). They have been out in their coop/runner for a while now. It is a 72 sq ft enclosed runner with a raised henhouse, very similar to the Carolina Coops. Everyone is happy and doing great... except our two Goldies refuse to roost on the roosting bar at night, and there is PLENTY of room on the bar. They decide to snuggle in the corner. We have tried putting them on the roost bar at night, about 30 minutes after they tuck in for the night, and they just jump right down and go to their corner! Marigold & Sunshine are inseparable since we got them as chicks.

How can I break this and have them roost on the roosting bar! So far, we haven't seen any bullying or such.. They do go on the roosting bar during the day, and in the mornings before the door opens, I see them up there. They just love their corner.

Any and all advice to help them start roosting on the big girl roost would be most appreciated.

Thanks!
D&R

 

[thecatumbrella]

Welcome to BYC!

My girls are 19 weeks old and still learning not to climb all over each other at bedtime. Forget about spreading out.

I can understand you wanting them to use the roost bar, but unless they're getting themselves dirty from corner time, I would just wait them out a bit longer. Behavior changes quite a bit once they reach point of lay.

Edit: How about I don't hit send before I'm done.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I would leave them alone, generally they will roost when they are ready. If they are not in danger from rats on the floor or anything they'll figure it out. But if you really feel they should roost, just put them up there when it's good and dark and they should stay put.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I would leave them alone, generally they will roost when they are ready. If they are not in danger from rats on the floor or anything they'll figure it out. But if you really feel they should roost, just put them up there when it's good and dark and they should stay put.

PS, you might have to do this for a week or so. I'm not going to say chickens are stubborn bc I don't beleve that to be true, but I will say that they don't like change. Watch to be sure nobody is pecking/ bullying them.

 

[RootedTogetherHomestead]

Welcome to BYC!

My girls are 19 weeks old and still learning not to climb all over each other at bedtime. Forget about spreading out.

I can understand you wanting them to use the roost bar, but unless they're getting themselves dirty from corner time, I would just wait them out a bit longer. Behavior changes quite a bit once they reach point of lay.

Edit: How about I don't hit send before I'm done.

Our 4 that do roost on the roosting bar are all on top of one another, too. Thank you for the advice! I greatly appreciate it. I was just worried about their feet, especially if they still aren't roosting by wintertime.

 

[RootedTogetherHomestead]

PS, you might have to do this for a week or so. I'm not going to say chickens are stubborn bc I don't beleve that to be true, but I will say that they don't like change. Watch to be sure nobody is pecking/ bullying them.

Thank you! No, we haven't noticed anyone pecking/bullying them. And no, dangers of rats or anything like that. I appreciate the advice. I have noticed that chickens do not like change, hopefully the goldies catch on soon enough!