Just added 7 week olds to new coop/run ?

[jploria116]

So the my brand new coop build finally has residents. I added my 6 - 7 week old chickens to the coop this afternoon. I added their food and waterer and plan on keeping them locked in for a few days to get acclimated. I have an automatic door to open and close to the run once they’ve acclimated. Out of curiosity tonight I decided to go check on them. None of them are using the roosting bars. They’re all laying on the floor huddled in a corner. Is that something they’ll eventually do or only once they’re older?

I have a droppings board at approximately 18” off the floor and then the first roosting bar a foot higher than that and a second roosting bar 8” higher than the first in a “x” pattern. Coops about 5’ high on the high end. I’ll add some pictures. Any other suggestions on the newly added chickens or is it just a waiting game?

Thanks

 

[Gwhite3678]

Mine took several weeks before they used the roost bars, they eventually figured it out on their own.

 

[jploria116]

Mine took several weeks before they used the roost bars, they eventually figured it out on their own.

I tried placing them up there a few times but they’d only sit for a few minutes and jump down.

 

[Australorpfamily]

I tried placing them up there a few times but they’d only sit for a few minutes and jump down.

Some reading I've been doing says some don't take to the roost bars until 12 weeks or so

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's normal for them not to roost, because they learn how to do it by watching adults. If you give them enough time one or more will figure it out, and show the rest.

I tried placing them up there a few times but they’d only sit for a few minutes and jump down.

Did you put them on the roost when it was completely dark? If they can see, they'll jump back down.

 

[jploria116]

It's normal for them not to roost, because they learn how to do it by watching adults. If you give them enough time one or more will figure it out, and show the rest.

Did you put them on the roost when it was completely dark? If they can see, they'll jump back down.

No I tried it right after I put them inside. I didn’t want to spook them tonight when I checked on them. I figured grabbing them and placing them up on the roosting bars while they were sleeping would have a negative response.

 

[rosemarythyme]

No I tried it right after I put them inside. I didn’t want to spook them tonight when I checked on them. I figured grabbing them and placing them up on the roosting bars while they were sleeping would have a negative response.

Actually I don't think they really care... at least I haven't had issue with moving birds in the dark. If it bothers you, time it right after the sun sets so it's too dark for them to want to jump off, but they're not settled in yet either.

Or just leave them be on the floor, and in a few weeks they'll hopefully learn to roost on their own.