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How to get them to quit sleeping on the ground?

Discussion in 'Managing Your Flock' started by txchickie, Nov 20, 2008.

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  1. Nov 20, 2008 #1
    txchickie

    txchickie Songster

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    Every night when I go check on them they're sleeping on the ground [​IMG] They have a 4ft roost and a 6ft roost along with 6 milk crate "nests" that are about 3ft off the ground. And yet they are sleeping on the dirt floor.
    They are 10 weeks old, if that makes a difference.

    I have tried picking up the ones that I can (the farily gentle ones) and placing them up on the roosts, but I go out an hour later and they're all piled and huddled on the ground together.

    Do I have defective chickens? LOL
     

  4. Nov 20, 2008 #2
    miss_thenorth

    miss_thenorth Songster

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    Some types of chickens do not like to roost--maybe you hav on of those breeds?
     
  6. Nov 20, 2008 #3
    2468Chickensrgr8

    2468Chickensrgr8 Songster

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    I had the same problem with my young chickens ..when they were with mom they would lay under her on the floor...but when she dropped them like a hot potato they had to fend for themselves...they were ready...too big to fit under her.....first i would try putting them into a dog cage with a roost....or maybe try putting them on the roost in the coop after its dark having someone using a flashlight..and get out fast so they're left in the dark....If they see some of them on the roost ...usually they all do it....Good Luck....they'll be on the roost before you know it !
     
  8. Nov 20, 2008 #4
    txchickie

    txchickie Songster

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    Texas
    They're bantams and leghorns. Funny thing is that during the day they're perched up on their roosts a lot and just as happy as clams, but as soon as the sun goes down they all pile in the corner.

    I have even tried leaving out a heat lamp thinking that they huddled because they were cold and that was why they weren't roosting, but they still piled in the corner (far away from the heat lamp) [​IMG]

    I guess we will just keep at moving the ones that we can up to the roost after dark. Stubborn little things!!!!!!
     
  10. Nov 20, 2008 #5
    NCchickenlady

    NCchickenlady Songster

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    raleigh
    Quote:I have silkies and they do not roost. I look in on them at night and they are all piled up in a corner1 I only have one silkie that roost and she sits on a perch about 5" off the ground. My ee/silke mix roost on the highest branch.
     

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