how long before they roost?

[joanm]

I put my four week old chicks in the coop the last few days and they did great, but they won't get up in the roost part of the coop at night, so I put a pet carrier with pine shaviings for them and that's where they slept. Well tonight it stormed just before dark and I was worried they would get wet, so I checked on them and, well the pine shavings were indeed wet and they were huddled together. Anyway, they are now in the house, nice and dry! Are they still too young?

 

[brooster]

No way. My chicks started roosting at three and a half weeks. Maybe you should try to put something below the roost that they can use as a step. mine jumped on thier feed jar then on the roost. Also i kept the heat lamp higher pointed toward the roost and placed all the chicks on the roost and they then figured it out. althogh my roost is only 2 ft off the ground if yours is higher that might change things. and if you have broilers they are probably to lazy to get on the roost.

 

[MayberrySaint]

I put my girls out at 6 weeks and they would not use the roost. It took about a month before they started to sleep on it. Even now at 13 weeks, only half use the roost...the other half use a corner and pile on top of each other.

 

[joanm]

hmmm... guess I'll just have to be patient.

 

[Sherry]

For the first 3 or 4 nights, I picked mine up and put them on the roost. Now they all go themselves.

Except for 1. He's one of 3 roos and he is the meanest little devil. He taught me never wear flip flops in the coop.

He will chase and peck at you UNLESS it's bedtime. Then he comes over all sweetness and light waiting for me to pick him up for his nightly cuddle and sweet talk before tucking him in every night.

 

[BirdBrain]

Quote:
Stinker!

 

[JackieK318]

My female silkie does that - she'll peck the heck out of me unless I'm paying attention to her. And no one is to mess with her man - if you touch her roo, it's all over!

Mine roosted at 3 weeks. I put it low to the ground to get them used to roosting and gradually raised it.