Roosting question

[Jenna0822]

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.

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.

Do you think it’s an issue that the other 4 pullets like to sleep all huddled up and she’s always on her own? I do think she’s the lowest in the pecking order. Should I put her closer to the group or just keep her separate?

 

[rosemarythyme]

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.

She's probably fine on the ground, since there's bedding to snuggle into plus her own feathers.

Or give her little puff a trim (just like a haircut) and see if improving her field of view encourages her to get up there. She still might not but doesn't hurt to try it.

 

[Tonyroo]

Gotta try it to know it.

 

[Sussex19]

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.

As you do have a ramp, I think that sound fine.
Its very encouraging that she is getting half way up, and they are still quite young so I think she'll probably work it out.

Do you think it’s an issue that the other 4 pullets like to sleep all huddled up and she’s always on her own? I do think she’s the lowest in the pecking order. Should I put her closer to the group or just keep her separate?

I don't really see any problem with this, they usually seem to work out what they want

 

[Aparker080115]

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!

I don't have any suggestions but I have 4 silkies, 2 silkie ayam cemani mixes, and easter egger, 2 mille flure d'uccles and 2 golden buffs that are all around 14wks.

The only ones that I can get to roost are the golden buffs and occasionally the EE. The others all sleep in a pile on the floor.

The biggest issue with this for me is the ones on the roost and the ones on the floor are all in the same vertical space.... they have a 5x8 coop but all seem to want to sleep next to the windo which means, the ones on the floor are in the poop zone of the ones on the roost.

Soooo no help to you but you're not alone.

I think once we finish our run, I'm going to use whatever wood we have left and add in some lower roosting bars to see if that helps.