how to get chicks to roost?

[Judy]

have you seen these, on pics?

Q: How do I post pictures on the forum?
A: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=504
A: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=427634

 

[centrarchid]

I am using a mature rooster. For some reason mature roosters stronger attractant for juveniles that hens not the momma.

 

[steve&kris]

Aha!!! searched for the "how to post pic" instructions and found them! Easy. Here are my roosts, am I missing something that makes them unlikable?

 

[Yay Chicks!]

They look like very "likeable" roosts, but perhaps they are just a little daunting for your little ones. I think they will probably figure it out in time

 

[centrarchid]

If you have one, then put a single adult rooster in with them.

 

[Buff-Island-Australorp]

When I moved my chickens into their coop, I put a roost bar about 18" off the floor. After they figured it out a couple days later, I put one above that one. They immediately knew they wanted to be on the higer one. After a few days of that, I put one even higher and they all wanted that one. It took about 2 weeks total and they now roost about 5 1/2 feet off the coop floor. They're 8 weeks old. That's their final height because I can't go higher inside.
I was very concerned about what all I needed to do for them, but they all figured it out on their own. Even putting themselves to bed!!!
Don't worry too much about it. They'll actually figure it out for themselves.
Good luck.

 

[mrsruvi]

here is a stupid question, but why is it important that they be farther off the floor? is this to prevent bugs?

 

[Buff-Island-Australorp]

Not really sure...but maybe they feel safer up high to help keep away from predators. (instinct?)
My nest boxes were built about 3 feet off the coop floor, so I knew I had to go up higher than that. I think I actually got curious to see how high they would go, so I kept building roosts!!

 

[steve&kris]

Just to close this subject out..... the night i first turned their light out, they all slept right in their doorway in a big pile. I put in a 6" high roost the 2nd night and they slept on that, the next night they (for the first time) all went into the coop on their own and slept on the top roost. It's only been a few days and it's like an old habit now.

 

[centrarchid]

Proper place to put this about age at which chicks adopt elevated roost. Multiple times now I have raised cohorts of chicks of the same genetic background and found two variables that influence age at which chicks move from ground to constructed roost I have in feild. When mother or friendly adult (father usually) is present, then chicks will stay in roost anywhere from four to five weeks. No adult then age pushes 12 weeks. Without friendly adults temperature rules. Chicks move to roost sooner when temperatures higher.

Other variables hopefully to be identified since only one of above I can manipulate is the friendly rooster.