Roosting on the ground

[HillBilly64]

i got my tractor complete with a flock... 3 that had been together a while and two introduced more recently....the new addition as are at the bottom of the social order.

Two of the original girls roost on the ground. I am unsure if this has always been the case or happened with the introduction of the new two...the new two get in first and get the best spots before anyone else can get in. The three additional ones I introduced attempted to roost on the feeder but have now worked out the perches.

Is there anything I can do to get them onto perches. They sit under the nest boxes..so no risk of getting pooped . Or should I just leave them to it..
Thanks

 

[ChickNanny13]

A picture of your set up would help. Is this a new set up for them? What are their ages?

Some younger ones tend to huddle on the ground when it's new surroundings. You could put them on the roosts at night, may need to do it for a couple of nights so they get the idea. I had to do that with some 7month old BOs I had. They'd use the roosts during the day but huddled in a corner at night. Took a couple of times before they got the idea.

 

[RWise]

Is there enuf room?
ventilation?
Light?
How old are they?
As suggested, move them where you want them to roost

 

[Mrs. K]

If they are quite young, I have had good luck with a board laid across my roosts. I have two month old chicks that were roosting in the nests, until I put the board up.

Mrs K

 

[HillBilly64]

Hi. Thanks.

Will post a photo.
They are about a year old, have always lived in that tractor...just relocated to my property. They happily jump up on the perches to lay eggs in the boxes.
There’s about 10 feet of perches spread across 2 perches.
it’s a bit hard to get into for a human so they may have to stay roosting on the ground until I build a new coop.

 

[alexa009]

Thanks! A photo certainly would help! Have you ever tried putting them on the roost? It took me a couple times doing it with my hens and now its been over a year and they never fail to make it on roost bars every night.