Should I even bother with roosts for my silkies?

[TreeHugger]

I have never had roosts for my silkies & let them sleep in the nest boxes. However, I'm in the process of redoing some things in the chicken house & have thought about adding roosts for them. I put in high roosts this spring for my pigeons & my polish. Does anyone have any luck getting their silkies to use low roosts? How high up do you put them?

 

[briarpatchfarms]

I wouldn't even bother I have only had one that would but they fall off very easy and end up on the ground anyway one thing I found that worked was a platform about 10 inches off the ground with shavings on themthis keeps the feet clean they won't fall off and it's like a roost to then. I have used a plastic pan like what goes in the wire dog kennels for a platform for them it work great

 

[faykokoWV]

this is the first I've heard this, are you guys saying that silkies don't roost at all? I had no idea.

 

[Jennyhaschicks]

My silkies roost. Well the hens are usually broody so they sleep in the nest boxes often... BUT our roost is about 3 feet off the ground and they like to roost too.

 

[briarpatchfarms]

Usually no they don't but mine don't some of them will depends on feather quality if they are stiff they are more likely to but if they are more shredded they are most likely not to

 

[briarpatchfarms]

Quote:
mine can't even jump one foot of the ground and they can't fly that high either mine had roosts in there and I could put them on there and if one moved they all fell off

 

[kathyinmo]

I made roosts just 8 - 12 inches off the floor. They like to step up from one to the next. MOST of them sleep in a pile in the corner.

My question is: Do they ever use a nest??? Mine just lay their eggs on the floor, and won't even get into a nest. It is only a "step-in" type nest, but they are not interested.

 

[Chew593]

I leaned an old wooden ladder against the wall in my coop and my silkie roo sleeps on the third rung. I got tired of him setting up for the night under the roosts and getting pooped on by my hens. I had to go in there every night and set him on the ladder. He finally came to his senses and now he gets up on it all by himself. Makes his mama proud!

 

[thecochincoop]

my show quality ones dont' roost since they can't see. the one with the small crest roosts but she can see so I think that has something to do with it.

 

[osagebill88]

Mine always roosted.