Please do not laugh at the new mom's dumb questions!

[chickiemom9]

Okay, this may seem like a silly question to you but I am a new mom and I am wondering when do the chickies start using the roost poles? I have one in the little chicken hut for them and they will sit on it in the day but lay on the floor at night. they are almost 3 weeks old and outgrowing the hut. It is in the big coop they will live in soon and it is all insulated and warm for them and very predator proof. I am thinking in another week I may put shavings all over the floor, add the heat lamp in the corner and let them grow in the big coop but not go outside yet. Would that be okay do you think? they just look crowded in the little coop now. I know that I need to add a roost pole or 3 for them in the big coop since there are 9 of them but how big and how high should it be and any ideas on making them would be very much appreciated! Thanks so much for all the help from all of you.

:jump

 

[chcknrs]

NOT a silly question. I put mine in the outside coop with a light at 4 weeks. I think they started sleeping on the roost pole at about 6 weeks or so. I only had room for one roost pole, as I have a tractor. It's about a foot off the floor and all nine cuddle up together on it. Yours are at the age where they are really starting to practice their flight and roosting skills. When they get better at it they will roost more regularly.

 

[McGoo]

Gee, that's not a silly question at all. I have one 2 1/2 week old who likes to sleep on a little roost already. We're building their 'half-way' house in the barn and we're including a roost - with a wire mesh under it, just in case they fall. I'm an over-protective mom - what can I say.

 

[lemurchaser]

I put mine outside at 2 weeks with a heat lamp. They are now 6 weeks. They have slept on the roosts a few times, but they like being under the heat lamp. I think once I remove the heat lamp, they'll go to the roosts. I was thinking of putting the lamp over the roost, so the warmest spots are when they are roosting.

 

[John T]

Mine were about 2 weeks old and they started roosting immediately. My roost poles are about 8" off the ground.

 

[5peeps]

So I was wondering how wide does the roost have to be .

I put a couple of 1/2 inch dowels across my brooder do you think that is to small my chicks they are about 2 weeks old .

Thanks
The newbie

Sorry chickiemom I didn't mean to cut in on your post .

 

[pixiechic]

Quote:
That's exactly what I used in my brooder, a half-inch dowel, about two inches off the floor. The babies are less than a week old, but are already hopping up on there for short time intervals. I haven't seen any chicks sleeping on the roost yet, but they are still very small.

 

[MissPrissy]

Remember you are the momma hen and you will have to teach your babies to roost at night. Make them a roost and when they settle for the night put them on it. You may have to do this several times before they learn to do it themselves.

 

[chickiemom9]

Thankyou all so much for all your help. I feel so much better knowing that I have all of you to help me raise these babies! Now another question, Where can I get some DE that is not too expensive and what all is it good for? I have seem some in different sites and the shipping is almost as much as the DE. Does anyone know if TSC or Lowes would carry it or Walmart(doubtful)? Thanks Trudy :jump

 

[chickbea]

MissPrissy is right - some get the roosting thing on their own, and others need some encouragement.
You may also want to use flat roosts instead of rounded ones like dowels. It is easier to roost for the night on a flat surface. I use 2x4's.