roosting

[alexbetty]

So, my chickens have only been outside for a week, but I'm wondering if I have to teach them where to roost. When they go in their coop at night, they all cluster on or near the nesting box. They don't use the roosts, the ramp, the floor. I'm concerned that they are going to make dirtiest the area I would want cleanest when they start laying. How can I encourage them to hang out elsewhere?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

They will learn to roost - it takes some time. In the meantime, you want to make the nest boxes inaccessible to prevent the forming of a nest sleeping habit. Unless you have actively laying birds in with them there is no reason to allow access to the boxes at all, you can block them off until they are near the point of lay and then open them.

 

[ChickenMammX4]

Mine just started roosting at night this past week. Easy to tell by the amount of poop under the roost They're 8+weeks old but have been in the coop for at least a month.

 

[alexbetty]

Thanks. I have blocked off the nesting box with a tarp. Now they are all clustering in the opposite corner

 

[snowwhitejen]

Thanks. I have blocked off the nesting box with a tarp. Now they are all clustering in the opposite corner

Mine did the same at first, now they are all roosting great. It takes time.