Pullets won’t use roost

[dmborden]

I have 6 pullets (18 weeks) that don’t seem to be that interested in their roost. I have tried different types of boards from round closet dowel, 2x2's and 1x3 with wide side up. I currently have all three types up so they can pick. They all pile up in the corner at night. It is warm so I know they are not cold. A friend said they won’t lay until they can roost?
Not expecting eggs for say 6 more weeks but just wondered?

 

[olefarmersdaughter]

I'm curious why there is chicken wire on the roost. Chickens do like a lot of room to turn around in my observation.

 

[dutch girl]

I'd get rid of the wire, mine start the night all huddled together but migrate to the roost later ( thye are 16 weeks old)

 

[dmborden]

We got the idea from another member. It keeps them from walking around on the metal poop tray. We thought that might be bothering them so we moved it back away from the boards 6 inches or so. Maybe we should just bag that whole part?

 

[leadwolf1]

I would remove the wire, also. It doesn't look like it would give them enough room to jump up and get comfy.

On a side note, your hens do not have to roost to lay eggs! Many of us with silkies can tell you that they will lay just fine....and, hens that are quarantined, for illness or newness to flock, will lay even if they don't have a roost or a nestbox.

 

[dmborden]

Thanks guys..... I am going to tell my hubby to round file the chicken wire He will be thrilled to get to fuss with the coop some more....not

 

[ButchGood]

My chickens are 18 weeks old and still sleep in a chick pile in the corner of the coop. The Alpha rooster posts up in the chicken door. This is a picture of the roost as I was building the coop. They get on it and hang out there during the day, but when it comes to sleeping they pile up.

 

[leadwolf1]

It really does take some time for them to roost...they are used to being in the brooder together where they all sleep piled up. They like that feeling

 

[Nomibear]

6 of my 19 still sleep piled up on top of each other in the coop. the others are now sleeping on some low branches outside! (@10 weeks)

 

[dmborden]

Just an update....We changed the wire that was behind the roosting bars. First we removed it all and tried that, and found that two of the girls liked to hang out there (standing in poo). So I had my hubby build a wood frame and cover that with chicken wire. It sets down on the floor a few inches above the poop tray under the roost bars. I has worked great! They are all roosting and the two can still hang out in their spot only now they stand on the chicken wire and not on poo. It also has saved a couple eggs that were laid on the roost and fell to the floor from cracking and getting soiled. That poop tray works great too!! I have a hatch door that opens from the outside. I can open it and pull the tray out and walk it right over to the compost bin and scrape it all into there. Then just slide it back and shut the door.