We just finished building a beautiful coop for our 40 chickens, a mixed flock of Australorps, Javas, Welsummers and Cochins. They are 10 weeks old, and seem to prefer roosting in the pine shavings. We have two lovely roost bars, but they show no interest. Yesterday we installed a ladder, and this morning I found two of the Welsummers up on the roost when I brought them breakfast. Will they figure it out, or will I need to "teach" them? If I have to teach them, how do I do that? I appreciate your advice and help!
It seems to be an age thing. They will stay on the ground for awhile longer. You can go in after dark and place them on the roost. That might speed things up. Let us know how it goes.
Relax - they'll eventually teach themselves. Mine have always started out sleeping on the floor, and then they started getting on the roosts during the day, but returning to the floor to sleep at night. It was around 15 weeks or so, actually, before most of my chickens actually started roosting on the roost bars at night. I figger it just takes practice to balance up there whilst sleeping. *I* couldn't do it. They are pretty gawky as adolescents; perhaps their sense of balance takes a while to perfect?
You can encourage them by placing them on the bars during the day so they can learn their balance and then do it again at night when they're all sleepy. They'll catch on eventually. Some birdsdon't like roost perches no matter what and would rather sleep huddled together on the ground.
I put my 50 on the roosts one evening when it was too dark for them to get down. The next night I went to lock up the coops and they were all roosting. Now the 27 that are in the brooder/coop have figured how to get on top of the brooder that's hanging on the wall 7 1/2 ft. off of the floor. They are only 8wks old so I do kinda worry that they will break their necks trying to get down. I guess if they can get up there then they have sense enough to get down. Don't worry, it won't take yours long.
i wouldn't worry to much i made a post about my chicks last week an they are 4-7 weeks old once we had a few birds get up there every night there are a few more our turkeys starded it but or orp dont like it yet but all the other breeds seem to perfer it.my girls would go down an put them on the roost alot seemed to help.once u get one to roost the rest will follow.