How to encorage chickens to roost instead of sleeping on the ground ?

[Sire12]

I tried using 2 inch and 3 inch thick wood shafts but they just lay under them , in the mornings their bellies are dirty from lying on the coop floor is the problem, they are wing clipped but I've seen them get up onto tables before so I know they can reach them

 

[Ruby Rogue]

What ages are your chickens? You're sure the roosts aren't too high for them? Is it dark in the coop when they go in, might they not be able to see to roost? Maybe you could try placing them on the roosts for a few nights and see if they catch on.

 

[MarkJr]

Mine prefer 1.5” flat surface (narrow side of 2x4) to perch on.

Have you placed them on roost at night for a few nights in a row to show them?

 

[One Lucky Momma]

How old are the birds and how high are the roosts? Could you possibly post a photo of your set up? Is this a very new situation for them?

 

[Sire12]

I,ll try and get a pic tomorrow its night here now, they're a mix mostly middle aged some point of lays they use to roost when I first got them then when I moved house they didn't have roosts for a couple of months then when I did give them some they just stayed on the floor , I think the problem could be that they all copy the rooster he's a big heavy brahma and can't fly up onto anything at all so he lays on the floor , I've been planning on making a ladder for them when I get time to see if he can use that to get up to the roosts

 

[Sire12]

Forgot to say the roost was very low like 5cm off the ground so my rooster could step up onto it

 

[Ruby Rogue]

Your ladder idea sounds like a good plan.

 

[HorsesRMe123]

I think they would be more encouraged to roost if they had an assortment of different kinds of roosts. I grabbed a few large, round branches from my horse’s pasture and placed them in their coop. I also have them a 2x4. They seem to really prefer the large round branches I provided them with. Maybe you could try giving an assortment and they would be more encouraged to roost?

When I first put my chickens in their coop, they weren’t very familiar with everything. So for the first few nights that week, I had to place them on the roosts so they understood that’s where they sleep each night.

I also have my chicken’s wings clipped. I have one chunkier chicken in particular who can hardly hop up to the roost so I have a larger, round branch that leads up to their roost so they can climb up that to have easier access.

Just a few tips. Hope you get your chickens to roost soon! Keep us updated.