Roosting at night advice needed

[MidlandChicks]

Hi everyone, I’m hoping to get some advice. We have two cedar tree roosts along both sides of the coop for our 8 week old chicks. There are boards underneath the roosts to catch their poop. They’ve been in the coop for about a week. We did a bunch of “field trips” to the coop prior to them moving in. When they were fully moved in, they started out sleeping underneath the boards and now are sleeping on top of the boards but still not sleeping on the roosts. I’ve seen them roosting a few times but not at night. Is this normal? Im assuming they’re still trying to get comfortable with their new environment. Is there anything we can do to encourage them to roost at night or will they catch on over time on their own? Here’s a picture of them one morning when they were roosting on it so you can see the set up. Thanks!!

 

[Lor]

You can try putting them on the roosts at night but no guarantee they will stay there. I'm sure they will pick it up on their own in no time.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I have a few hens who don't roost, preferring to be on the coop floor. It doesn't bother me as long as they don't sleep under other chickens and get pooped on...

 

[MidlandChicks]

Thank you both!! That makes me feel much better. I’ll try putting them on the roost tomorrow night to help encourage them but will let them do their thing and decide what they want to do. There’s plenty of room in the coop so as long as no one is getting pooped on, it should be fine like you said. Thanks!

 

[3KillerBs]

Youngsters take time to learn to roost -- especially if there aren't adults teaching them how. They'll get the idea.