Is it cruel to force chickens onto perch if they cannot get back down?

We put up a ladder to the perch/roost and they kinda single file come down in the morning. Sometimes Martha Stewart (EE) gets impatient and just climbs over the others...

 

I'm on my first batch of chickens too, so I'm far from an expert...
I don't think there's anything wrong with placing chickens up on the roost after dark - they like to sleep in the highest place possible to avoid predators, and are probably more comfortable up there than on the ground. It may just be too dark for them to get up there by the time they're in the coop. I'm assuming that they had a roost at their last house, but I have heard of big chickens that are still accustomed to dogpiling on the floor. I'd keep putting them on the roost, personally.

Do you have to pull them back off the roost once it's light out? If so then maybe they're not comfortable flying down and that's a separate issue... (the experienced BYCers will probably want to know what size roost you have and how far off the ground it is). I might try luring them down with treats.

**One thing to note, though: I have always heard that when introducing chickens to a new coop you need to lock them in the coop for about a week without letting them outside, so that they recognize the coop as home - then they'll be a lot easier to round up at bedtime. It may also help to have an overhead light or even some xmas lights in the coop if they seem nervous about going inside at night - chickens have terrible night vision and might resist going into a dark coop (they think something's in there waiting for them).**

 

No it's not cruel. I would give them a boost with a chicken ladder or a stump to act as a ladder step. Use 3" or larger rung for them to roost on. They will eventually learn.

 

How high is the perch?

I have bantams, so my roost bars are set around 5 feet which of course would be too high for many standard breeds, but for my agile flying bantams, it's fine. There is ample space in front of the roost for my chickens to fly down. That could be an issue for you to look at in your coop. Chickens need adequate width to fly down from a perch. They can't go straight down like an elevator!

When mine are settled in at night, I can't see their toes because their breast feathers cover them. That's what needs to happen if it gets down to freezing to avoid frostbitten toes.

 

Yeah, are you sure your roosts are not too high without a ladder of sorts?

My silkie roostes are 12 inches off the ground. The standards only have roosts that are 2.5-3 feet off the ground. Some of my birds area heavy and there is no ladder, so I don't want any of my geriatric birds to hurt their legs jumping down. That said, the big old roo still jumps from the 3 foot or so perch to the top of the nest hutch that's 2 feet off the ground, before jumping to the ground. I don't think he particularly likes to jump off things, and even though he can clear the 5 foot fence when running away from something dangerous, he rarely ever jumps anywhere above wing level while outside.

 

We used to give them 4x4's on the floor when they were small, then a 'perch' about 8" high. They have a ramp to the roost and a large platform too. The other issue is injuries if the birds can't land safely or do not have glide room...be careful! If birds are different ages/breeds you may need more than one roost.

 

I would be careful. I decided to put several of my chickens up on the roosts who hadn't figured it out yet, hoping they would get the clue (they were born in June). For most of them, it worked. One of my Wellsummers, however, was limping the next morning. It has been about a month, and she is still limping. My guess is that she fell of and dislocated something in her leg. Now, I am struggling with the reality that I may have to cull her.

I would give them some time to get comfortable with their surroundings. They will still huddle together to stay warm, even if they are on the floor.