roosting

[Wally]

I,m new to this forum so please bear with me.
I have a new flock of various chickens that are now about 8 wks old. They are not using thier roost at night when they sleep. They sleep in a huddle on the floor of the coop. All the chickens I've had in the past would be using thier roosts long before now. Any ideas about what's happening and what I might can do about it, if anything?

 

[sgray136]

I have read that if you place them on a roost at night after they have settled in for the night then they will get the idea. All of my chicks are now roosting with the exception of my female Silky who I doubt has the smarts to do anything except eat. LOL

 

[MayberrySaint]

Mine are the same age and not one will go use the roost. They huddle in a big pile in the corner...

If I go in after dark and put them on the roosts, they just jump right back down and pile up. Very frustrating.
During the day, they will be all over the roosts but not at night.

Andy

 

[cheapcheap_jeepjeep]

MayberrySaint

I have the same problem and mine about 4 1/2 months old at least. I just leave them I am hopig they will get the hang of it from the older pullets.

 

[cookinmom]

They'll get the hang of it one day. Mine slept in a pile in the corner for the longest time. Then when they were about 9 weeks, a few of the girls started sleeping on the roost. Then we sent the cockerels to their new home, and Bing! all the girls hopped up on the roosts and went to sleep that same night