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Roosting

Discussion in 'Managing Your Flock' started by Yard full o' rocks, Apr 15, 2009.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Apr 15, 2009 #1
    Yard full o' rocks

    Yard full o' rocks Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Mar 24, 2009
    Cartersville, Georgia
    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
     
  3. Apr 15, 2009 #2
    rnoyster

    rnoyster Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Jan 20, 2009
    Conway, South Carolina
    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!
     
  5. Apr 15, 2009 #3
    chickNjake

    chickNjake Chillin' With My Peeps

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    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. [​IMG]
    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 [​IMG]
    ETA- changing one of the roosts might be a good idea
     
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2009
  7. Apr 15, 2009 #4
    4-H chicken mom

    4-H chicken mom Overrun With Chickens

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    Oberlin, OH
    I agree with rnoyster. pvc is too slippery for them. Try and find a straight tree limb if you can't get anything else.
     
  9. Apr 15, 2009 #5
    purecountrychicken

    purecountrychicken Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Sep 11, 2008
    Gray Court, SC
    I would have to agree that the pvc pipe is too slippery for them to hold on to.
     
  11. Apr 15, 2009 #6
    gritsar

    gritsar Cows, Chooks & Impys - OH MY!

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    SW Arkansas
    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.
     
  13. Apr 16, 2009 #7
    tn chick

    tn chick Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Dec 19, 2008
    SW Tennessee
    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
     

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