I don’t think my chickens sleep...

[DolceVita]

So my black stars have a huge coop that we made out of the bottom of a tree house. They each have their own box (3) but never sleep in it. Instead they “stand” on the edge of the box while 2 of them are constantly looking at the ground. EVERY time I go up there I see either 2 or 3 of them quietly making noise while looking at the ground. Sometimes I see one of them facing the box instead of the ground while the others are staring at the ground.... why in the world do they do this. Their nests aren’t closed in ( it doesn’t have walls) but the coop is very secure. Can anyone tell me why they do this?

 

[DallasLoneStar]

Following... I also sometimes feel like my chickens never sleep. But they seem fine otherwise.

 

[Keeperofmunchkins]

Chickens don't like to sleep in nests. They like to roost as high up as possible all together, which means perching on a narrow beam they can hook their toes over.

They sleep during the dark hours but only need around 8 hours sleep, so if the night is longer they might not be sleeping deeply and could be easily disturbed by you approaching the coop.

Also for a long time before they actually sleep, they usually make quite a bit of fuss. They squabble over the best spot on the roosts and especially younger chickens can trill when they are relaxing the way that chicks do when they snuggle up with their mother at night.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Chickens are supposed to roost, not sleep in nests. Nests are for egg laying. If they get in the habit of sleeping in nests, you'll always have poopy eggs.
Chickens have extremely sensitive feet and they can feel any vibration so they will wake up as you approach.

 

[DobieLover]

I agree with the above posters.
I'm also curious to see more of your coop. You need a roosting bar set higher than your nest box. You only need one nest box for 3 chickens.
And chickens do not sleep all night. I have coop cameras and have looked in on my flock at any and all hours of the night to see them just hanging out and some of them preening.
This shot was taken at midnight. Notice all the glowing eyes.

 

[jlwquilter]

I wondered about the sleeping too. Even with ‘cat naps’ during the night it doesn’t seem if many get a total of anything near 8 hours.

Often after the morning feed a bunch of them will nap. I get it - a full crop and its time for a snooze. But I was worried that maybe something was wrong with my roost set up - that they didn’t like it or it wasn’t right for them.

But they are otherwise fine. Well, other than the chronic diseases they have. The point is I’ve decided no to worry about them sleeping during the night or day unless it seems it’s due to an active illness or injury or infestation.

 

[aart]

They sleep during the dark hours but only need around 8 hours sleep

I think you mean they need minimum 8 hours of darkness....this is in conjunction with and important to know if you are using supplemental lighting for winter laying.

Chickens don't like to sleep in nests.

Well, some of them do, especially younger birds like to pile in a nest at night.

 

[Beccazon]

They are chickening properly! You are good to go! Chickens prefer to roost. Do you have pics of the inside of your coop? Maybe we can help give ideas to get them more comfortably roosting? Nests are just for egging. They aren't cozy sleepers lol. They are prey animals, they will wake at every peep or step or breeze. But that is natural so no worries

 

[DolceVita]

I agree with the above posters.
I'm also curious to see more of your coop. You need a roosting bar set higher than your nest box. You only need one nest box for 3 chickens.
And chickens do not sleep all night. I have coop cameras and have looked in on my flock at any and all hours of the night to see them just hanging out and some of them preening.
This shot was taken at midnight. Notice all the glowing eyes.
View attachment 1874651

What do you use to watch your chickens?

 

[cluckmecoop7]

They need a roost.