Learning how to use roost

[Pjchicks]

I have thirty new babies. Last years babies took a long time to learn how to use roost and yes they had a roost to use. They all just piled in a corner to sleep. These babies are 2-3 weeks old now and have already put a branch with other branches coming off main branch. Some of chicks are already exploring. Any other ideas to help??
Thanks

 

[justplainbatty]

I have thirty new babies. Last years babies took a long time to learn how to use roost and yes they had a roost to use. They all just piled in a corner to sleep. These babies are 2-3 weeks old now and have already put a branch with other branches coming off main branch. Some of chicks are already exploring. Any other ideas to help??
Thanks

They are young to be "roosting", playing on the branches is good. Sometimes if chicks roost too early, while bones are still soft, it can damage their keel bones. When their bodies are too heavy to sleep on the ground, they will change to roosting.

 

[newmarch2014]

Uh oh, how early is too early? My 5 -6 week old Brahma is definitely roosting on the available roost, while the others sleep on the floor nearby. I am suspicious he is a rooster for other reasons but I am sure he is roosting at night because they are in full sleep mode when I wake them to turn on the white lights in the morning.

 

[CerpinTaxt]

Our girls are about the same age and i just put in 'roosts' one about 2 inches square and one about a square inch. Dont whant to hurt the girls if they are too young to be roosting

 

[justplainbatty]

Uh oh, how early is too early? My 5 -6 week old Brahma is definitely roosting on the available roost, while the others sleep on the floor nearby. I am suspicious he is a rooster for other reasons but I am sure he is roosting at night because they are in full sleep mode when I wake them to turn on the white lights in the morning.

6 weeks is slightly early but if the roost bar is only about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter as opposed to a 2" wide (think 2x4) adult roost it should be ok. They won't be resting much of their breast on a small branch.
Let them decide when to roost.

Post a pic of your suspect roo, maybe we can confirm for you.

 

[PapaChaz]

Our girls are about the same age and i just put in 'roosts' one about 2 inches square and one about a square inch. Dont whant to hurt the girls if they are too young to be roosting

too small is worse than too big for the roost size. I'd take that one inch out for sure and even consider going ahead and changing the two inch out for a 2x4 with the wide side up. It won't hurt them to roost on something where their feet will be completely flat. I've read they're actually MORE comfortable if they don't have to grip something to hang on all night while they're roosting, makes sense to me

 

[justplainbatty]

too small is worse than too big for the roost size. I'd take that one inch out for sure and even consider going ahead and changing the two inch out for a 2x4 with the wide side up. It won't hurt them to roost on something where their feet will be completely flat. I've read they're actually MORE comfortable if they don't have to grip something to hang on all night while they're roosting, makes sense to me

I agree with you for adult birds although I have never given them more than 2' perches. For my brooder, I have different size branches they can try as they grow. They perch during the day, learning balance, perching and walking on them. Often they return to the soft litter to sleep. Once they are roosting on the larger branches, it's time to go out to the big coop anyway.
I'm changing my roost system this summer and will do an experiment with the 2x4's to see if they prefer the 2 or the 4 side better before I finalize the new system.

 

[CerpinTaxt]

Awesome, advice thanks!

 

[Ridgerunner]

 
I'm changing my roost system this summer and will do an experiment with the 2x4's to see if they prefer the 2 or the 4 side better before I finalize the new system. 

I tried that a few years back with tree branches, 2x4’s with the narrow side up, and 2x6’s flat side up. From what I saw, people worry about this a lot more than chickens do.

I hope to see your post when you tell us your results. It will be interesting to see if your results are anywhere close to mine.

 

[justplainbatty]

I tried that a few years back with tree branches, 2x4’s with the narrow side up, and 2x6’s flat side up. From what I saw, people worry about this a lot more than chickens do.

I hope to see your post when you tell us your results. It will be interesting to see if your results are anywhere close to mine.

Yah, so far I have always provided wooden ladders and branches, it just seems more natural. But I keep hearing about wide roosting. So just to make cleaning easier for me I was going to use the 2' side attached with truss hangers (I think they're called) but not nailed in. So, I could just lift the boards out, scrub down, replace etc. A little easier than taking ladders out of the coop or trying to shovel under and around them. Maybe I won't change it. My birds have never refused to roost on what is in there. In my signature there are 18 pics, some are of the inside of the coop as it is now and always has been. See what you think, I'd love to know!