Musical Roosts?

[micstrachan]

Curious about who looks at which chickens are roosting where and whether yours switch things up? I originally had a 5'x5' coop for four chickens. I added six to the flock this year and lost one, so now I have nine. We added an area about 5'x3', which has its floor at about the same level as the roosts in the first coop (this was wooden play structure converted to a coop, and the addition was from enclosing a deck.) Anyway, there are four levels of roost spread between two "rooms." Only a couple girls sleep in the same spot every night, and the others seem to be trying out new spots. Why is this? Why are they playing musical roosts? The weather is changing and we've had a couple cold (for California) nights, so am wondering if that is a factor? Or is this just what chickens do once you've integrated two flocks?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Dominant birds go right to their preferred roosting area. Their preferences can change throughout the year based on weather. If someone is in the way they get pecked and moved. Lower ranking birds seek out a place away from the rest. Middle ranking birds tend to squabble over positions.

In the wild the birds lower or on the outside of the roost is more at risk for being snatched by a predator so it's serious business for them. Hens too will often fight over who gets to sit next to the rooster, who generally sits closer to the door if he's a brave rooster, and he will defend his hens if possible.

So in general roost time squabbles is normal.

 

[micstrachan]

That makes sense. Top girl is holding her preferred spot, which is in the original coop and therefore on one of the lower positions. She likes her spot! (On a side note, she did roost down one level when her flock mate was sick and could not get up to a higher roost. Stayed with her until the very last night and was back in her preferred spot the day her friend died. So sweet. Broke my heart.)
What's interesting is two of the three remaining from the original flock seem to be moving around the most. They seem to be taking turns roosting at the very top or snuggling in a corner in the "lower floor."
You're right, the middles do squabble the most.
One of the lower girls actually ends up getting to snuggle with one of the higher ranked girls because she seems sort of banished from the pullets to the first level coop/room.
I find all this chicken behavior just fascinating and endearing.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Chickens are fascinating. My top hen, a 9 years old buff Orpington will sit vigil with every sick or dying bird. I find it interesting others have noticed their hens doing it too. I never grow tired of watching my chickens.

 

[micstrachan]

I love that about your top hen!
I also caught mine hanging out in the pen sitting literally shoulder-to-shoulder with her sick sister, while everyone else was out free ranging. It actually brought a little tear to my eye and a lump to my throat. I had NO IDEA before that chickens can actually feel compassion or sympathy, but now I am convinced that they do. Amazing animals. I never tire of watching mine, either.

 

[GardenTillers44]

Dominant birds go right to their preferred roosting area. Their preferences can change throughout the year based on weather. If someone is in the way they get pecked and moved. Lower ranking birds seek out a place away from the rest. Middle ranking birds tend to squabble over positions.

In the wild the birds lower or on the outside of the roost is more at risk for being snatched by a predator so it's serious business for them. Hens too will often fight over who gets to sit next to the rooster, who generally sits closer to the door if he's a brave rooster, and he will defend his hens if possible.

So in general roost time squabbles is normal.

Our dominant birds roost early and get their preferred spots locked down. The birds at the bottom of the pecking order mill around and are last in the coop, then take their lumps working their way onto the roosting bars, usually on the outer edges. I notice the hens that have been broody have to work their way back up the pecking order. The dominant roo sits directly in front of the door. You can hear the squabbling and banging inside the coop at roost time every night.. They always work it out and by nightfall it's sweet deams.

 

[aart]

Mine seem to change it up almost every night,
including the cockerel which may 'set the tone'.

 

[micstrachan]

So tonight was the very first night that the dominant birds, my only three second year hens, roosted at the top.
The middle four (pullets) roosted in a row in the middle.
The bottom two (also pullets) roosted at the bottom, and didn’t even snuggle up together... chose different corners.
My lowest middle girl used to be besties with one of bottom two. I guess she’s moving up in the world! LOL.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Roosting politics is an interesting watch. Better than most tv shows.