Roosting preference

[Jim 13160]

I built my birds, what I thought was a nice roost. I noticed them all fighting for the top bar, which I kind of expected. It dawned on me, I could run diagonal bars across the corners of the coop, giving them all adequate space to be at the same high level. They only seem to want to use the bar on one corner, and top bar on original roost, I shunning the other diagonal. The only theory I can come up with, is the one they prefer is open visibly to one side, where the other is on a corner wall.. What's up with this?

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

They probably like being near the window. They like to see out, feel the sun, and feel the breeze. Do they have a run or free range access?

 

[Jim 13160]

They probably like being near the window. They like to see out, feel the sun, and feel the breeze. Do they have a run or free range access?

They have a 16'x 40' run. It's not really a window, just a partition in the barn. But it's CDX 4' up, then chicken wire to the top. All they can see, is another "room", about the same size as theirs.

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

They have a 16'x 40' run. It's not really a window, just a partition in the barn. But it's CDX 4' up, then chicken wire to the top. All they can see, is another "room", about the same size as theirs.

Oh. Well, it looked like they were receiving sunlight. I'm not sure.Maybe they are scared of that corner or something? Who knows, chickens could have superstitions too!

 

[Jim 13160]

Oh. Well, it looked like they were receiving sunlight. I'm not sure.Maybe they are scared of that corner or something? Who knows, chickens could have superstitions too!

 

[Jim 13160]

I've asked them, they won't say.

 

[ScottandSam]

Well it does seem in the picture to be brighter there. It also (if I'm looking straight) looks like that roost is the highest. And then again maybe they like that room.

Put the other roost a few inches higher and see what happens.
Scott

 

[Jim 13160]

Well it does seem in the picture to be brighter there. It also (if I'm looking straight) looks like that roost is the highest. And then again maybe they like that room.

Put the other roost a few inches higher and see what happens.
Scott

It's definitely brighter at the time of the picture, that's where the lights are. The chicken wire probably gives it the illusion of being more open. The other corner roost, is no more than an inch lower, if that. An aversion to dark corners maybe?

 

[Jim 13160]

Anyway, it's my first flock. They are about 11 weeks old, with 6 out of 16 being roosters. When I get them culled out, there will be plenty of prime roosting space for all. Just curious to the thoughts, of those that may be more in tune with the mind of a chicken.

 

[nminusyplusm]

Mine like roosting where they can see "out" even if out is another enclosure.