How old 'til they roost?

[Poison Ivy]

Mine are using the roost at 8 weeks old now. I would just go in the coop around 10 when they were sleeping and sit each one on it. It took 3 days for all of them to get the idea and now they are on the top roost with the big guys. But I think thats how one of my cuckoo marans hurt her foot. Jumping down or was either pushed off. But she is getting better I have her in a crate in the house for bed rest. They will get the idea sooner or later.

 

[3peeps]

Ours are 7 weeks and they roost on and off. I did the little "training roost" in the brooder box, where they still sleep at night. We started off at about 2" off the bedding, and now it's about 6". They can never figure out the correct sleeping position for the night without a lot of hassle...inevitably one wants to roost and at least one wants to play king of the corner right under the roosting bird. They bicker for about 5-10 minutes. At night I'll go in and they'll be in a pile in the corner, but by morning they're usually waiting for us on the roost.

 

[Yonaton]

Pfffffft! Wouldn't ya know it. *After* asking when will they start roosting, I go in the coop this morning and about 10 of them are up there on the roosts spread out on all three, sitting around and some were walking around on a couple of them. Figures.

 

[mosier]

Mine will be 8 weeks old on the 24th. They have been in the coop for 3.5 weeks but still sleep cuddled together on the floor--it's pretty funny to see. The three are huddled together in the corner by the coop door. One of them the other night had her head hanging out asleep! I have gone out there a few nights around 10pm to put them on the roost (it's only 12 inches up), but they just stay there confused for a minute or two and then hop down. They did have a "training roost" in their brooder. I hope that they learn sooner or later.