Not sleeping on the roost bars

[sen2two]

Last night was the first night I had my chickens. They stayed huddled up in the ground in a corner of the coop. My coop has a 2nd floor where I have roost bars. I made them from 2x4 so they have more rook to rest their feet flat. They walk up the ramp during the day. hang out for a second then go back down. Never really making to the roost bars or near the nesting boxes.

Do I have to train them to go "up stairs" at night? If so, what time should I do so?

 

[sourland]

Give them time. They are still adjusting to their new home. What age and what breed are they ?

 

[sen2two]

2 months old. Rhode Island reds.

 

[sen2two]

Just in case. Here is a picture of the ramp leading to the 2d floor and the roosting bars. Anything wrong with them?

 

[aart]

Hmmm...gonna be small for your 6 birds...as already noted here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/picking-up-6-rhode-island-reds-today.1304040/

Looks like you've fixed it up a bit....but might want to look at this:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134399/help-hens-roosting-in-nest-boxes/10#post_17749535 I think that thread also has ventilation improvements.

The ramp is a bit steep, I'd put a half a concrete block underneath the lower end.


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[rosemarythyme]

Not only small but roosts are at floor level. Their instinct is to roost up higher. They should at least be at the top of the nest boxes or higher if there's enough headroom.

 

[MountainWoman73]

They are going to need more room when they get bigger. I agree with the person who commented that grown chickens like to roost high. For reference, mine have the option of two roost bars that are 3.5 feet off the floor, or roosting on top of their nest boxes, about 6 feet off the floor. They ALL choose to sleep on top of the nest boxes, and nobody uses my perches at night.

 

[aart]

For reference, mine have the option of two roost bars that are 3.5 feet off the floor, or roosting on top of their nest boxes, about 6 feet off the floor. They ALL choose to sleep on top of the nest boxes, and nobody uses my perches at night.

That's why nests should be lower than roosts, doesn't matter how high off the ground the roosts are as long as they are higher than nests, or any other place you don't want them roosting

 

[Ribh]

Not only small but roosts are at floor level. Their instinct is to roost up higher. They should at least be at the top of the nest boxes or higher if there's enough headroom.

This. I have 3 roosting bars: 1' off the floor; 18" & just over 2' off the floor. Everyone likes the top perch.

I think your coop arrangements would make this difficult but you could try waiting till it's dark then gently placing each hen on the roost. They will stay there as they don't see well in the dark but they would be happier with higher roosts.

 

[MountainWoman73]

That's why nests should be lower than roosts, doesn't matter how high off the ground the roosts are as long as they are higher than nests, or any other place you don't want them roosting

Oh. I'm fine with it. I have a nice roosting space up there for them, easy to clean. Just trying to help our friend who put their roost bars near the floor.