ROOST POSTS

[davecash]

do they have to have them? or can they sleep on the ground of the coop?

 

[schmoo]

They could sleep on the ground........but would they be happier with roosts YES.
It is their natural instinct to want to be up higher when they sleep.

Only exception is meat birds, they can stay on the ground.

 

[2mnypets]

Yes they need them to sleep. They can and will sleep on the floor sometimes but if you have nest boxes and no roosts, they will think it's ok to sleep in the nesting boxes. You don't want that because you want the boxes for the laying of eggs only. There are different ways to make roosts. Here's a picture of one of many different shaped ones we have in and outside our coop.

 

[AtRendeAcres]

I read silkies are comfortable on the floor but, the others prefer to perch!

 

[2mnypets]

Intersting, I did not know that. Thanks for the tip.

 

[jenichick]

Mine have had roosts since they were 1 week old. They didn't start using them until they were almost 3 months old. They huddled in the corner at night together. Now out of about 15, I still have a couple that like to sleep on the floor. One of mine sleeps on top of the big food bin that's in their coop. I think they should have the choice, it's cleaner.

 

[chickflick]

my silkies like to roost with the big girls...on a 5 ft high 2X4 laid on its side. Yes, chickens will be lots happier on roosts. Oh, I have a ladder to get the silkies up on the high roost.