Not roosting yet

[Lady Lionheart]

My GLWs are 14 weeks 2 days old and have not started sleeping on the roosts yet. Last night I went outside and tried to put them up on them and most of them jumped off to sleep on the coop floor again. I really want to open up the nest boxes so they can start getting used to them but I have heard not to do that until they are roosting at night. Is there anything else I can do to make them start roosting?

 

[Lady Lionheart]

Here is a picture of my roosts. As you can see, they have no problem getting on them during the day..

 

[chickens really]

Leave them..They will Roost when ready.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Are you placing them on the roost at the tail end of dusk, so it's too dark for them to see? If they can't see they won't jump off.

 

[aart]

Can you back up and take a wider shot of the coop and the nests?

 

[Lady Lionheart]

Can you back up and take a wider shot of the coop and the nests?

It's 8 1/2 x 4 1/2
The nesting boxes are still closed off.
8 chickens.

 

[Lady Lionheart]

Are you placing them on the roost at the tail end of dusk, so it's too dark for them to see? If they can't see they won't jump off.

I did and I got two to stay. The rest freaked out and fell off.

 

[Mimi13]

I started putting mine on the roost at about 6-7 weeks old. It did take a little perseverance on my part, but I stuck to it and finally so did they. I did realize though that mine did better with the 2x4’s turned on the narrower side. That way they didn’t feel like they were standing on the ground and just try to walk off. Good luck.

 

[Lady Lionheart]

I started putting mine on the roost at about 6-7 weeks old. It did take a little perseverance on my part, but I stuck to it and finally so did they. I did realize though that mine did better with the 2x4’s turned on the narrower side. That way they didn’t feel like they were standing on the ground and just try to walk off. Good luck.

Hmmm. I didn't think of that. I'll see if my husband will want to make some changes. Thank you very much!

 

[chickens really]

Roosting to me isn't that important because they eventually will Roost when ready too..I have a Hen with 8 week old Chicks and she still sleeps on the floor with them under her wings. Soon enough she will have them Roosting.