knocking down their roost?

[Jurassic Wolf]

Hi I have 3 pullets their are a little over 11 weeks now. In their coop at night my two Brahmas usually sleep under the roost and the 1 EE sleeps on the roost (thank you). Anyway, recently they have been knocking down their roost (because they like being trouble). Just wondering if this is accidental or if they really just want to sleep on the ground?

 

[MissChick@dee]

Nope...chickens LIKE to roost (up) at night. Makes them feel safer and it’s a natural instinct for them. Sounds like you might want to repair your roosts. Make them sturdy and strong. Chickens are sometimes clumsy esp. when they are jockeying for a position to sleep.

 

[Jurassic Wolf]

haha The roost bars are just held up by a little (I don;t know see picture below). There are two roosts so, if they want to roost they can... they are currently just sleeping on top of the roost they knocked down.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Oh YEAH!! I see your problem. I HAD roosts like those. Replaced them with 2x4’s (wide side up) keeps their feet warmer in winter cause they can lay down on them. Sorry to say those are crap!! Lol but you knew that huh?

 

[Jurassic Wolf]

Ha! yes. Good idea I will probably change that soon. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Jurassic Wolf]

So the 4 inch side would be what they are standing on, right? If so, that might be a little to big for my bantam's feet. Although my Brahmas don't have very good balance, so maybe they will want to roost then?

 

[hillbilly91]

Hi I have 3 pullets their are a little over 11 weeks now. In their coop at night my two Brahmas usually sleep under the roost and the 1 EE sleeps on the roost (thank you). Anyway, recently they have been knocking down their roost (because they like being trouble). Just wondering if this is accidental or if they really just want to sleep on the ground?

With as young as they are it's not a uncommon issue. Some chickens don't roost until ther 6 or 8months old. I have 6, red quill biddies about 3months old and two of them sleep huddled on the ground and the other 4roost at night. All 6 play on the roost during the day. Its a confidence/ security thing with each bird. They feel safer huddled together on the ground and it's a natural reaction from them being featherless biddies and not being mature. As for the roost its not a good idea to use a flat roost as it flattens the brest muscle as there in a standing station 24/7. But I do agree somewhat with the winter problem of keeping there toes warm but I use a thicker round roost to solve this problem. And a simple fix for your roost in the pics is a dot of hot glue. Just don't over do the dot of hot glue as you might have to remove the roost to clean them.

 

[Jurassic Wolf]

Ok thanks! Two usually sleep underneath, but only recently they have been knocking it off. (last 3 days). Are they trying to get under it but they are too big?

 

[hillbilly91]

Ok thanks! Two usually sleep underneath, but only recently they have been knocking it off. (last 3 days). Are they trying to get under it but they are too big?

That might be the problem but they also might be playing and jumping from directly underneath it and causing it to fall. Also hard to tell from the pic but it looks like the one roost is right in front of a opening and is not safe in my opinion as it can cause them to hurt there legs or other issues when flying from the ground up into the coop. I would move it or take it out all together. A standard grown bird needs 2ft minimum but I prefer 3ft per bird due to flying up to roost, down from roost, and due to stretching there wings while on roost.

 

[MissChick@dee]

So the 4 inch side would be what they are standing on, right? If so, that might be a little to big for my bantam's feet. Although my Brahmas don't have very good balance, so maybe they will want to roost then?

No they lay on their legs. (Kinda like when their on-the ground)They scoot their backside to the edge to poop off the edge. It’s wide yes but they don’t have to grip to hang on mine love theirs. I think people make their roosts too skinny. If you have smaller breeds you could use a smaller width perhaps 3” just take notice next time they lay down outside you’ll get a good idea of the size that’s good for your birds. Mine are standard to large breeds and just the tips of the toes hang onto the edges and their chest feathers hang over their toes....all comfy like!