How long will I have to do this?

[andreanar]

My flock of pullets refused to roost, I'm sick of the poop being all over the floor instead of the poop board where I can easily scoop. They are between 11-15 weeks old. I waited till dark tonight and went out with a flashlight and picked up each one and put them on the roost. I hope they stay there and don't break their fool necks trying to get down in the dark. How many nights do yall think Ill have to do this before they get with the program?

 

[PD-Riverman]

Usually 2 to 3. Always best to use a very dim light when doing this.

 

[Liven42day]

I have the same problem with one brown leghorn and 6 silkies, the will not roost, everyone else roosts. My roosts are not very high, one at 18", the other at 3' high. I haven't tried putting them up on the roost at night, the leghorn and silkies is not very friendly, the rest of my hens love me

 

[Ayam onthe Farm]

Keep trying until they get it.

 

[Wickedchicken6]

I'd say between 2-5 days. Sometimes it takes longer for all of them to get it.

 

[lazy gardener]

Do they go up on the roost during the day? If not, please provide a pic so we can problem solve with you.

 

[andreanar]

Do they go up on the roost during the day? If not, please provide a pic so we can problem solve with you.

They do not go up on the roost at all! They look up at it like they are thinking about it, and a few of them have walked halfway up the ramp then get back down. I had a flock of heavy birds before and never had a problem. The roost board is 4 inches and long. It is almost 2 feet from the wall and 3 feet from the ceiling. It has a poop board filled with PDZ 12 inches under it. Our coop is 10feet x 10 feet and 6 feet high. They have plenty of room to fly down, area is clear for them to land. They can either use the ramp, or fly up to the lip of the poop board to get up. The lip of the poop board is about 4 feet up.

I got this flock as started pullets. My last flock were day old chicks. I will always start with day olds from now on.

 

[jvls1942]

I would bet that where they were raised, they didn't have roosts. so they never learned what they are for.
If any of them are easy to catch, put them on the roost during the daytime every once in awhile, too. it doesn't matter if they don't stay up there, at least they will learn how to get down, if nothing else..

.

 

[andreanar]

I would bet that where they were raised, they didn't have roosts. so they never learned what they are for.
If any of them are easy to catch, put them on the roost during the daytime every once in awhile, too. it doesn't matter if they don't stay up there, at least they will learn how to get down, if nothing else..

.

You are right! They did not have roosts, and they were never given any kind of treats. I like to get my chickens addicted to scratch! LOL. That way, whenever I need to find them or get them locked up, all I have to do is shake the scratch can and call "chick chick". I do put them on the roost during the day haha they jump right down and act like Ive tried to kill them.
IM just tired of the poop clean up! Its so much easier to scoop the poop board.

 

[aart]

Go out well after dark and put them on the roost.
I use a headlight on low setting and try to keep it pointed away from them.

I'd bet 2 days to a week.
Let us know.