Not Roosting ...

[gardendufus]

My birds have pretty much always roosted. Had a 2 X 4 set up on end in the brooder, now using 2 X 4s flat side up in the coop. They spent about a week on the floor of the coop at about 4 weeks old, but have been roosting ever since.

 

[Gifa]

I had small round 1" diameter branch roosts in their brooder box starting at week 2. They still preferred the bedding in the brooder box. When I turned their heat lamp off at 5 weeks, they started huddling in a pile at night. When I put them out in the coop, they continued to huddle for a couple of weeks. The 4 branches I put out for them in the run are 2" diameter branches. The roosting log I chose for inside the coop is about 3.5 inches in diameter. For mine, it wasn't so much that they weren't used to having perches to get up on... it was that they didn't seem interested in getting up on the roost to sleep until about 9 weeks of age.

 

[lawatt]

i have some 2x2 roosts (one low, maybe 8" from floor, the other a little higher) inside their henhouse -- there are stains on them from their feet, so i know they DO jump up there, but the few times i've spied on them after dark, they've been sleeping in a pile in the corner.

their run has two oak branches that are 3' off the floor, and only two seem to be able to fly that high yet -- there are also a number of twisty oak branches on the floor that they can perch on, even though they're only a few inches up, and they LOVE sitting on those during the day. they just don't see to sleep perching yet!



the delaware & one of the marans demonstrating the floor perches -- twisty oak branches have just enough curves for this!
laura

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

I also put a mini-roost in the brooder area when they get to about 2-3 weeks old. So far everyone likes to use it, but the oldest soon to be hen absolutely insists on sleeping on the floor.
This creates some problems as she is used to letting the poo go all night long. You can imagine how her feathers are looking now.
Looking at the positive I'm hoping this means she'll be a good layer and possibly broody.

Also if they learn to roost early they will find anywhere and everywhere to try to roost day or night. Entertaining, or annoying you decide.
Personally I get a laugh at the odd places I've seen my cockerel sitting, but he always makes it back to the brooder at night.

I might add to the topic by asking if those who have had natural success with roosting use round or square rounded roosts.
All of mine have been round branches of some kind.

I have 2x4 on side so they have 4" to rest feet on and completely cover with feathers for winter time. Oregon doesn't have to bad of winters but usually a 2-3 stretch of sub freezing temps and lots of wind, so I was thinking of reducing frostbite on feet.

 

[thomas333]

blocking the nest boxes worked, they are all on the roost at night now. How long should i keep them blocked off? they are 17 to 18 weeks old right now.

 

[mraenick]

My girls are 12 weeks now, and are still not roosting at night! They loved the small practice perches in the brooder, but when I moved them and the perches to the coop, they stopped roosting! The coop has a long roost near the top of the roost. I thought that might be too high at first, so my husband made them a "laddered" perch - theynever used it, so after 3 weeks, I took it out of the coop. During the day they are out in a pen and they roost in there. At night, they sleep in a heap under the hanging waterer. Should I start putting them up on the roost? Or will they do this in their own time?

 

[thomas333]

My girls are 12 weeks now, and are still not roosting at night! They loved the small practice perches in the brooder, but when I moved them and the perches to the coop, they stopped roosting! The coop has a long roost near the top of the roost. I thought that might be too high at first, so my husband made them a "laddered" perch - theynever used it, so after 3 weeks, I took it out of the coop. During the day they are out in a pen and they roost in there. At night, they sleep in a heap under the hanging waterer. Should I start putting them up on the roost? Or will they do this in their own time?

My girls did the same thing, I think they will come out of it.

 

[stirkrazy]

I have had my chickens for about a year now and never had a problem with them roosting. But recently I turned one of my old horse stalls into an addition to my coop. When I did this I put up a new roosting bar and took the old one down. They now refuse to roost on the bar I put in and will squeeze themselves onto any tiny board they can find Even after 2 nights of physically putting them on it myself. Was I wrong for taking down the old roosting bar?

 

[BarredRockGirls]

they might get used to it ... idk ... my birds are only 3.5 weeks old and ive given them branches from the woods since day 1 to "play" on. gradually increasing in height. some sleep in a pile some roost . almost all play on it during the day . or after treats . eh they'll get it

 

[MelissaTXRn]

Mine are 6 weeks and sleep in a pile in the corner of the coop, unless I go out after dark and put them in a nesting box. Lol brats! They eat all day long....