not using roost

[BigBen]

I have 7 RIR that are just 8 weeks. I have 2 roosts one low and one high.
There is poop on both of them, but when ever I go out to check on them they are all together nesting on the floor.
It has been in the 60's here so I have had the coop closed up with a lamp down low in a corner.
I figure if they were cold they could get heat there.
Is it normal for juvenile birds not to roost?
P.S. today is the first time that any of them has let me touch them.

 

[tomato lady]

My 7 week old chicks don't roost on the roosts that I provided. Some of them roost on the top of the wall seperating the brooders, but the rest still sleep in a corner on the floor cuddled up together. They are not cold because I have two lights going and they often choose the opposite side of the coop to sleep in.

Now my little babies (1 1/2 weeks) "roost" on top of their feeder. I wonder if breed makes a difference.

 

[cmom]

Here is a picture of my roosts. I raise the roosts as they grow.

 

[Mahonri]

Mine started roosting at about 7 weeks... on the low roosts... but by 9 weeks they were all roosting just as high as they could get and fighting for the high roost.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Mine huddled together on the ground until I picked them up and PUT them on the roost.

After that, they all use it.

 

[newchicksnducks]

When I first put the my chicks (EE) out in the coop at 7 weeks, they would cuddle into the deep shavings. They are now 8+ weeks and use their perches every night. One morning I went to open the pop door and check on them, and there they were, sitting on the roosts. Our roosts are 36" and 48" tall, stair step style. They now love the top roost, sitting side by side as close as they can get to each other. The dropping board indicated that they had been up there most of the night. For the past week, they have put themselves to bed around 8:30 at night, and I'll find them on the roost when I go to close the door. Give them another week or so, they'll probably find it themselves. I'd love to see how they get up, because it is hilarious to watch them come down from the roosts. It's like they have to talk themselves into taking the big leap down, hesitating several times before taking the plunge!

I just realized you said there was "pop" (assuming you meant poop) on the roosts...they are probably using it, just getting down before you check on them. Mine don't use the roosts during the day. I'll often find them on the floor of the coop if they are not outside, either laying together or alone.

 

[eggsited chickens]

Mine are around 8 weeks old and they just started to use the roosts at night. There are a few that are still using the ground but they are getting there. they all fight for the top roost...about 5 feet up.

 

[Mrs.ChickChick]

Mine are 7 weeks and have also just started roosting. They'll figure it out, don't worry!

 

[BigBen]

I might have jumped the gun. I stopped home today and went down to check on them and 5 of the 7 were on there roost.

 

[gardenak]

Mine will be 9 weeks on 6/26 and I put the roosts in last weekend. I set most of them on the roosts once (the ones I could catch) and now they will get up there at night. Some that I didn't catch saw the others and they go up now as well. I'm sort of glad that a few are stubborn and sleep on the floor because I have 2 that are the same age and look like 4 week olds. The little guys snuggle with the stubborn ones.