Roosting

[Yard full o' rocks]

Ok, I have just completed a new 6ft x 8ft coop for my 8 girls and 1 rooster. Inside the coop there are 2 roosting poles; one approx 5 ft off the ground and 6 ft long the other is approx 3 1/2 ft off the ground and 3 ft long. My chickens are all in the coop every night, but, they are huddled together on the floor. I live in NW Georgia and the weather has been cool, but certainly far from "cold". The roosting poles are 1 1/4" PVC, screwed in so they wont roll around. Any idea why they are chosing the ground over the roost? Maybe they didn't use a roost at the hatchery where I bought them....they are about 6 months old...all Buff Orps, and all CAN fly. Any thoughts? Should I be concerned? Thanks

 

[rnoyster]

I tried to use PVC pipe for roosts when I built my coop and found that the hens couldn't hold onto it due to it being slippery! They huddled on the floor like yours are doing. I replaced it with treated 2"x2"s and everyone is on the roosts now!

 

[chickNjake]

unfortunately, if you got them from a hatchery they've probably been kept in big buildings with little to no room for walking and likely no roosts.

but this probably does not hold true to all; where did you get them?

they'll learn eventually learn to roost and your roosts sound fine

ETA- changing one of the roosts might be a good idea

 

[4-H chicken mom]

I agree with rnoyster. pvc is too slippery for them. Try and find a straight tree limb if you can't get anything else.

 

[purecountrychicken]

I would have to agree that the pvc pipe is too slippery for them to hold on to.

 

[gritsar]

Using wood, either 2 x 2 or 2 x 4 works better. Chickens don't grasp with their feet all night long, as a caged bird would do. Once they settle on the roost, they release the grasp of their feet and rest on their keel bone; covering their feet in the process.

 

[tn chick]

i have added the parakeet grit paper but in stores over the pvc and had good luck with this.

i wouldnt ever use sand paper thou