Not using roosts...

[NancyA]

View attachment 1338358 my 10 new pullets have bee sleeping under my poop board instead of up on the roost. The first night I went out at dusk and lifted a couple up onto them but they can back down...I took the lowest roost out cause it was too small I think. Any suggestions? The top roost is about 10" from the wall and almost 2" in diameter

 

[SIMZ]

How old are they? That's not unusual for young chicks. They'll figure it out! We like to use 2X4's as roosts with the 4" side up for them to roost on.

 

[aart]

View attachment 1338358 my 10 new pullets

Pic didn't post...try again?

 

[NancyA]

Pic didn't post...try again?

 

[centrarchid]

Move them at the time they are settling in to sleep. Do so repeatedly if need be.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Young chicks don't have the inclination to roost at first. Like dirt baths, it comes on a little later. Mine didn't roost until about 8 weeks! (I wondered if something was wrong with them) Now at 10 weeks all but 3 of them roost! Most have moved up to the top roosts which are 7 feet off the floor! There are a couple that like to sleep in the nesting boxes, but I think a couple more weeks and they will roost too. One girl was injured and has a bad leg, when that heals I'm sure she will roost. We use 2x2's for the roosts.

 

[theoldchick]

Make sure the roosts are firm in place. If the roosts wobble, the chicks may avoid them. Also, try using a 2 x 4 as one roost to give them variety. Young chicks who have not had the option of environmental enrichment (toys) are wary of trying new things. I've had week old chicks roosting because a roost was available to them. Of course the roost was only an inch or two off the ground but it was there for them to climb on.

 

[aart]

Remembers this from another thread...thought you were going to change the roosts?
I move them to roost well after dark, wearing a dim headlight, hold wings down, get feet stable then let go, they will stay put. Might take a couple few nights.