roost

[Grits&Eggs]

My girlfriend raises Silkies, her setup is like a series of shelves and ladders, her silkies all roost this way, her bigger birds like the Lavendar Orp head to the top rungs/shelves. they never slept on the ground since there is always a place they can reach to roost for the night. Maybe they just can't reach any of the bars/places to perch?

 

[whit246]

that's why I kept her....no place to put her...couldn't ignore her.Knew a oredator would get her.Tried animal sanctuarys & all

 

[whit246]

Can chickens survive without a roost? Some Silkies do. They can't fly so getting up or down may be challenging. Some Silkies do roost if they can get up there but some choose to not roost even when they can get up and down. Based on that chickens can survive without roosting as long as you keep predators away.

Roosting is generally an instinctive behavior. It's a survival instinct, get up high where ground dwelling predators can't get you. Most chickens want to roost on the highest things possible. That could be in the coop, that could be in the run.

I don't know how old your chickens are, how many you have, their social ranking, or how much coop or roost space you have. All those can affect where they roost or even if they roost. I don't know where she is sleeping now. There is probably a reason she is not roosting but I don't know what it is.

My girlfriend raises Silkies, her setup is like a series of shelves and ladders, her silkies all roost this way, her bigger birds like the Lavendar Orp head to the top rungs/shelves. they never slept on the ground since there is always a place they can reach to roost for the night. Maybe they just can't reach any of the bars/places to perch?

 

[whit246]

as I said, I only have ! hen...only because I didn't want her killed

 

[whit246]

If no one wanted it, why did you keep her?
Chickens are "hard wired" to be in flocks. They are much happier in a group.
Would you consider trying to find someone to take her in? Just advertise her on CL or find a poultry FB page and I'm sure you could find her a good home.

will try

 

[50-45-1]

You have the little coop, you have the chicken, and by the way Thank You for carring for her and rescuing her from being homeless!
Most chickens prefer to roost and it is more sanatary for them, but the more important thing is that she be secured in a tight and preditor proof coop at night. If you have that, i think she is lucky to have you.
Maybe, if later you find her a chicken friend assuming your coop can accomidate two, that would be great.
Thanks Again!

 

[whit246]

You have the little coop, you have the chicken, and by the way Thank You for carring for her and rescuing her from being homeless!
Most chickens prefer to roost and it is more sanatary for them, but the more important thing is that she be secured in a tight and preditor proof coop at night. If you have that, i think she is lucky to have you.
Maybe, if later you find her a chicken friend assuming your coop can accomidate two, that would be great.
Thanks Again!

thank you for the positive answer.I really was getting very depressed. I am doing my best by this lovable bird. Yes, she is cooped at nite.She went in by herself tonite after her mealworms & cracked corn.She still gives me an egg a day.She has the run of the neighborhood& all think she is hysterical!!!