My girls won't roost at night!

[OKusmcChckens]

Thanks for all the info on this string. I moved my four girls into their new coop from the tractor they have always been in and the first night the wanted to sleep in the nest box. I put them all on the roosts and blocked the nesting box during the night. First night one stayed on the roost ( my smart barred Plymouth Rock). Put them all on the roast the second night and two stayed. By day four they all went on the roast by themselves and I don't have to block the nesting box.

 

[Romoshka]

Wow...yours learned much faster than my flick did. I had 25 mixed brown layers from Murray and they went from brooder to tractor that didn't have roosting bars (my fault). After I cleared the house they were to go into they were moved and they continued to huddle in the caged run. Every night I had go and put each one in the house and on the bars. They stayed but I had to repeat every night for over 3 weeks - closer to 4. Some learned faster than others.

 

[wen33]

my 4 chickens quit using the hen house and started roosting out in the pen area at night. It seems kind of odd. does anyone have any ideas why.

 

[whittychick]

My Easter egger has started, all of a sudden, to not go in the house at night. Not sure why?! I have to get her and move her in every night. Unless they're free ranging...then she'll go in with everyone else.

 

[dreamgirl21]

Could it be a ventilation issue? Is it warmer inside than outside? They would probably move toward the spot with a little breeze and the coolest. Is your perch wide enough? They often do better on someething like the flat side of a 2x4 or fat brandh than a broomstick type roost.

If they are young, as in still not laying, it may be they just need to grow up a little more before they learn.

If you're sure it is cofortable for them, you can try ptting him on the roost at dusk for a week or so.

Really, there is no harm in their sleeping on the floor.

 

[dreamgirl21]

I have 15 hens and half of them roost and the others cuddle in the corner below.
I have the roost 18 inches off the floor of the coop. Should I lower it for 8 week olds?
Im worried the ones on the roost will poop down on the ones below. Is this a concern?

 

[aart]

I have 15 hens and half of them roost and the others cuddle in the corner below.
I have the roost 18 inches off the floor of the coop. Should I lower it for 8 week olds?
Im worried the ones on the roost will poop down on the ones below. Is this a concern?

Welcome to BYC!
Are all the birds the same age?
I would not lower the roost.
You could go out and put the floor birds on the roost after dark,
that can get the idea across.
Would be best to start new thread here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/chicken-behaviors-and-egglaying.18/create-thread
with more description, and pics, of your birds and roost setup.

 

[NutmegS]

If they're young, I'm sure it's fine and they'll grow out of it if you keep encouraging the behavior. If established/older girls stop roosting, they may be sick or broody, trying to sleep in the nesting box. When we've had adult girls stop roosting and sleeping on the floor, they almost always have or get mites/lice. Then that's a whole thing...

 

[MrPaw]

Shag

That looks like a much better arrangement. I myself prefer to use linoleum under the roosts. PDZ around where I live is expensive. Daily scraping in the morning when I let them out, thats free : P

Here is our setup for 8 girls. 2 Roosts, poop board, food bar. All removable thanks to 2x4 hangers, and easy to spray off and scrub since its been painted.

What is PDZ?

 

[aart]

What is PDZ?

Brand Name is Sweet PDZ...sold in the horse aisle at the farm stores.
It's the mineral zeolite which will absorb ammonia.