My hens can't get down from their roost on their own"

[CapFluffBall]

Hi,

My coop is 4' tall, 4' long and 3' wide, bought for my three new silkie pullets The first level roost is approximately 2' high, and the second and highest roost is about 3.5' off the ground. My silkies have no trouble reaching the top roost for nighttime but in the mornings they can't get down by themselves and make such a ruckus complaining! What's weird is that once I place one silkie on the ground the other two are able to jump off by themselves just fine....but unless I do that they don't even try and start complaining loudly.

What can I do to help them out to be more independent? I'm very new to backyard chicken raising.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Mehjr10]

I don't have silkie's but my highest roost is at least 7' off the floor of the coop, and mine will hop down to where they feel safe to fly off.

I would say leave them alone and they will gripe and moan but get thirsty or hungry and come down.

 

[Going Quackers]

I find my silkies while they will roost a bit none have access to anything that high.. they really don't have the ability to flutter about like chickens with more normal feathers..

The highest roost i have here is less than a ft off the ground.. they do fly up now & again but generally prefer to be on the ground or just up a bit.

All mine are bantam sized and i have a mix of roosters and hens.

 

[ShelleyN]

I have the exact same problem. It's as if the 3 pearches are too steep for them to get down "gracefully". There's alot of distress and pacing before the big leap to the lower pearch and they may even miss it and graze the next one down one before hitting the ground. How far out and up should perches be? Are there general rules for it?

 

[CapFluffBall]

Ok, thanks for the input! It's just odd since I've seen them get down by themselves...just not on their own initially, but I'm going to try to add a small ladder or another perch for them to jump off of. See if that makes it easier for them.

This morning I threw some mealworms on the ground for them and that made them jump down happily But they certainly weren't graceful about it and one even hit her head on the side of the wall :/