My girls won't roost at night!

[vpatt]

Lol, now one of mine is roosting on the top of the slanted nest box which we made to be roostproof. It is a steep slope, but I guess because it is rough wood she is able to hang on. It does not look very comfy to me, but I guess it suits her. Yesterday I found a nest of eggs so I was very happy to find their hiding place and giggled to myself the rest of the day. I am trying to fix that spot so it will work better for the birds and for me.

 

[Theegoliath]

If its possible due to space/chicken ratio, sometimes locking them in the coop for a day or two helps show them where there home is, and were its ok to roost. Just another suggestion. We did that with immediate success when we introduced our new coop. They all return and roost by themselves, and still do just before dusk : )

 

[sandman55]

If its possible due to space/chicken ratio, sometimes locking them in the coop for a day or two helps show them where there home is, and were its ok to roost. Just another suggestion. We did that with immediate success when we introduced our new coop. They all return and roost by themselves, and still do just before dusk : )

That sounds like a good idea.

 

[vpatt]

They had been in the coop for a month and were laying in the nest box inside the coop even after a week or so of free ranging. Now three of them are laying in the 'new' nest and Olive still goes in the coop. I know it is her and none of the others because of her beautiful green eggs. I could try shutting them up But I am letting them continue to use the nest they chose. I would like to figure out something to put in the back of it so they can't lay all the way in the back.....that is harder for me to reach and also if a snake gets in there...well I don't want to do the scary snake dance. Especially since I read that rattlers do like eggs. We have at least a couple of them most summers.

As soon as it gets light I will see if I can find my little black pullet that did not come to roost last night.

 

[vpatt]

Sorry if I posted to the wrong thread....

 

[vpatt]

They had been in the coop for a month and were laying in the nest box inside the coop even after a week or so of free ranging. Now three of them are laying in the 'new' nest and Olive still goes in the coop. I know it is her and none of the others because of her beautiful green eggs. I could try shutting them up But I am letting them continue to use the nest they chose. I would like to figure out something to put in the back of it so they can't lay all the way in the back.....that is harder for me to reach and also if a snake gets in there...well I don't want to do the scary snake dance. Especially since I read that rattlers do like eggs. We have at least a couple of them most summers.

As soon as it gets light I will see if I can find my little black pullet that did not come to roost last night.

She is ok! Wow, I wonder if she roosted in a tree. She has disappeared before but never overnight. I saw her checking out the nest yesterday....I hope that means eggs soon.

 

[Stacy Pleskoff]

I have a similar issue with one of my new chickens. I hatched a polish frizzle 13 weeks ago, along with purchasing 3 other chicks. They range from 13-15 weeks old. My polish still won't climb the ladder to the coop AND still huddles beneath the roosting hens, which causes all sorts of "nasty" landing on the polish. SHE WONT MOVE!! Bath day it is. Any ideas?

 

[whittychick]

Hmmm...I'd just keep moving her every night and hopefully she'll eventaully do it? Idk! 13-15 weeks is old enough to know the routine! I'll research and see what I find!!

 

[Theegoliath]

I have a similar issue with one of my new chickens. I hatched a polish frizzle 13 weeks ago, along with purchasing 3 other chicks. They range from 13-15 weeks old. My polish still won't climb the ladder to the coop AND still huddles beneath the roosting hens, which causes all sorts of "nasty" landing on the polish. SHE WONT MOVE!! Bath day it is. Any ideas?

Just be consistant with putting her up on the roost. Just make sure its not over 8" or so away from the top of the ramp. Frizzles cant fly, and can only hop : (

 

[sandman55]

Yes put it on the perch after dark each night and maybe between other chooks for it to appreciate the warmth. It should get the idea.