should i insist they sit on roost

[henryetta]

As in, some would rather sit on the 'litter' itself, rather than on the roost just inches above it. Could they not be 'balanced' enough to roost? they are 24 weeks old and egg layers.

 

[LaSombra]

hm. Mine are 6 wks and 10 wks and they all sit on the roost at night. I never had to put them up there or anything, though. They just naturally thought it was a good thing to do. What kind of roost do you have for them?

 

[BarkerChickens]

We have some that like to be on the floor still as much I try to encourage them to roost. I don't think it really matters...if they're comfy and happy, then I guess that is where they want to be.

 

[henryetta]

well this could be the prob... on one side of the coop is a 2x4 which two large EE's hog and protect, and then there is another 2x4 from there stretching to the other side whre there is a covered area with a 2x4 going through it just slightly above the litter. My redstars sit in the litter there instead of the other free roosting area.. I really want to move the EE hogs but just dont have the heart..

 

[LaSombra]

do they not want to be under the covered area then?

 

[henryetta]

actually, they like to be in the covered area.. I think i may need to duplicate what we did on the other half.. It's just so weard that they like the flooring part and wondered if that was going to be bad for them in the long run. I also have been having to pick up one hen who wants to sleep in nesting box and put her up to roost.. (shes not broody, just likes that spot it seems) but i will not have that!! no poopie eggs for us

 

[Cherrypie]

My three 9 week old buff orps have decided to all sleep in the nesting box instead of the roost they were using. I've decided not to move them because I figure once they get bigger and can't all fit in the box, the problem will solve itself. At least i hope so...

 

[BushHog936]

As they get older they will learn to roost on their own.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
I'd be afraid I was letting them develop a bad habit here. You'd be surprised what a small box 3 will fit in -- or they might just fight over it.

 

[A2SciTeach]

I have to agree with Dawn - the Orps will likely keep cramming themselves into the nest box - I have three 10 month olds who are huge and sleep in the nesting box - they squawk like mad when I try to put them on roosts.