Roosting question

[Jenna0822]

Hello chicken whisperers!

First time chicken mama. I have 2 silkies and 3 faverolles. They are all 8 weeks old. One of my silkies doesn’t get on the roost at night. She is happy to sleep on her own on the ground, but now that they’re in the coop, I’ve been putting her on the roosting bar and she stays exactly where I place her, all night. I always give her a little space from the others so they don’t push her off (this happens) but with the other four all huddled up, I’m wondering about that sweet lone pullet! Is she ok roosting separately from the others? Will she continue to do this in the winter? Should I place her closer to the others next time? Or should I not be placing her at all and just letting her sleep on the floor? Thanks!

 

[Sussex19]

I always try to get them all sleeping on the roost; otherwise they tend to get pooped on, and also might end up sleeping in the nesting boxes.
How long have you been lifting her up for?
Its hard to tell in the pic, how high up is the roost?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Many Silkies aren't inclined to roost and prefer being on the ground.

 

[Tonyroo]

Chickens rely on there eyes to navigate and estimate distance. Silkie feathers around the head hinder there sight so it's something to consider.

 

[Jenna0822]

I always try to get them all sleeping on the roost; otherwise they tend to get pooped on, and also might end up sleeping in the nesting boxes.
How long have you been lifting her up for?
Its hard to tell in the pic, how high up is the roost?

The roost is at 30 inches. I was so torn about how high to put it because my faverolles like to be high up but I know silkies should be lower (but one of my silkies spent soo long trying to be with the faverolles I decided to just do one roost with the ramp). The roost is at 30 inches and the poop board is at 22.

 

[Jenna0822]

I always try to get them all sleeping on the roost; otherwise they tend to get pooped on, and also might end up sleeping in the nesting boxes.
How long have you been lifting her up for?
Its hard to tell in the pic, how high up is the roost?

Also, the coop is just finished so I’ve only been lifting her up for 3 days. It’s new for them!

 

[Jenna0822]

Chickens rely on there eyes to navigate and estimate distance. Silkie feathers around the head hinder there sight so it's something to consider.

One of our silkies has little feathers around her face so she seems to see ok but the other is a little puff ball. She’s the one who is having trouble. Anything I can do for her?

 

[Jenna0822]

Many Silkies aren't inclined to roost and prefer being on the ground.

Should I just let her sleep on the ground on her own? Just worried about our extremely cold winters if she’s the only one doing so without the extra heat from the flock.

 

[Sussex19]

The roost is at 30 inches. I was so torn about how high to put it because my faverolles like to be high up but I know silkies should be lower (but one of my silkies spent soo long trying to be with the faverolles I decided to just do one roost with the ramp). The roost is at 30 inches and the poop board is at 22.

That sound a little high for a small silky, maybe you could make a small step to help her up?

Also, the coop is just finished so I’ve only been lifting her up for 3 days. It’s new for them!

I would keep lifting her up, you could try it a little earlier to give her a bit more of a chance to work it out in day light.

 

[Jenna0822]

That sound a little high for a small silky, maybe you could make a small step to help her up?

I would keep lifting her up, you could try it a little earlier to give her a bit more of a chance to work it out in day light.

Thank you for your help! When you say a small step up, do you think I should add a step on the poop board? Right now I have a long ramp up at a 30 degree angle. Last night they all walked up no problem (even the other silkie) but she got half way up the ramp and decided to park it there for the night so I helped her up the rest of the way.