My girls won't roost at night!

[Romoshka]

Well I locked em this evening. Plan to let em out each AM. The run is predatorproof as I lost all 23 birds that were in that facility-run/scared to death by something that tried to get but couldn't. The one thing I have noticed is that the 7 hens and roo that do go to roost all congregate at the bar ends near the ramp/ladder-sorta seems like they are blocking the others but I have the same setup in the other house and no trouble over there. ??? Perhaps I should post a pic of the setup.

 

[whittychick]

You don't need a ladder.   They are young,  they will all eventually have that instinct kick in.   In 40 years I've never had chicken not roost. 

I know silkies have a tendency not to roost.

Yea my silkies don't roost...doesn't bother me. They sleep in the bottom nesting box that no one uses!

 

[DianaMallory]

Well I locked em this evening. Plan to let em out each AM. The run is predatorproof as I lost all 23 birds that were in that facility-run/scared to death by something that tried to get but couldn't. The one thing I have noticed is that the 7 hens and roo that do go to roost all congregate at the bar ends near the ramp/ladder-sorta seems like they are blocking the others but I have the same setup in the other house and no trouble over there. ??? Perhaps I should post a pic of the setup.

Is their food outside? I was just thinking, I never feed mine out in the run, only treats. And they have to come inside to get food. I don't leave feed outside because it attracts unwanted guest for dinner! If you have been putting their food in the run try leaving it in the coop and see it that helps.

 

[DianaMallory]

Yea my silkies don't roost...doesn't bother me. They sleep in the bottom nesting box that no one uses!

But you obviously don't have chickens for egg production. Or you would care about them sleeping in the nest! I don't even have my nesting boxes out yet because of that reason! I have 6 more weeks before I have to worry about it.

 

[Romoshka]

Yes food is in the house - always has been. Water is outside-I use nipples. There are unwanted visitors and I suspect rats but have not gotten around to burying wire to prevent this but no real harm so far. BUT....GREAT NEWS! Tonight when I returned form work well after dark, to put them on the roost bars - I found 13 hens on the roost. The best night Ive had so far is 7 so I am encouraged.

 

[whittychick]

 But you obviously don't have chickens for egg production. Or you would care about them sleeping in the nest! I don't even have my nesting boxes out yet because of that reason! I have 6 more weeks before I have to worry about it.

Yes you're right...nice to get eggs but I don't depend on them

 

[DianaMallory]

Yes food is in the house - always has been. Water is outside-I use nipples. There are unwanted visitors and I suspect rats but have not gotten around to burying wire to prevent this but no real harm so far. BUT....GREAT NEWS! Tonight when I returned form work well after dark, to put them on the roost bars - I found 13 hens on the roost. The best night Ive had so far is 7 so I am encouraged.

Well something your doing is working! Great news! Mine are all roosting and going into the coop like clockwork! I love it when a plan comes together!

 

[slynng]

I am so relieved to see this thread - I thought I was the only one with "non-comliant" hens! Mine spend their nights in the coop and go in there on their own...and they use the roosts, but not at night. They are almost 20 weeks old (at least 2 have started laying), but they still sleep in a gang in the corner on the floor. I guess it's not a big deal...and I have tried placing them on the roosts - they stay for a little while, but ultimately go back to the pile on the floor. Crazy chickens. At least they are not sleeping in the nest boxes!

 

[CoryRed]

I have a roost in there run that they use all the time during the day. At night they still insist on sleeping right there. I have to pick them up and put them in the coop every night. I don't get chickens! Lol

 

[farmlady1]

Ventilation is probably keeping them off the roost. Even my young ones hop on the roost at night and have found them on low branches of the trees in the yard.