Sleeping habits - at 23 weeks still bunching up on the floor

[Montana-Hens]

I have 4 ladies that are 23 weeks & they still cluster up and sleep in a group on the floor.

I have a nice roost that is a 1 x 4 for them, but so far no luck in getting them to use it....

Will they figure this out like laying eggs in the nest box or will they need some kind of help.

I have taken to going out in the evening late and setting the ladies up on the roost, but so far sleeping together in a group on the floor is best...

 

[Omran]

Quote:
hello,try to build a little steps for them to the roost that might help.

 

[vfem]

I would keep propping them up there for now, and perhaps add the ladder as suggested.

I'm not sure what kind that are, but I know silkies generally prefer huddling on the floor over a roost.

 

[Michigan Chickman]

I have 31 RIRs that are 25 weeks old and even though they have plenty of room to roost there are still 6 that huddle up on the floor of the coop like they did when they were chicks.

I've tryed putting them up on the roost at night as well and they hop right back down to their little click. If everyone's healthy and happy I guess they can sleep where they want.

 

[chicksinthemachine]

My Husband goes down every night and arranges the hens and roos and puts them in their proper spots to eliminate the pecking during the night and early morning. Usually when I wake up they are still in the same spots but every now and again someone decides to sleep on the floor. If it isn't wet we really don't mind. Unless they go under the roosts and get pooped on. And defintely no sleeping in the nest boxes.

 

[Matt A NC]

I had a big cochin girl that took to sleeping on the ground. She ended up getting some poop stuck in her feathers under her where I couldn't see. By the time I knew there was a problem she was full of maggots. Flies laid eggs in the poop, as the maggots move they contaminate and cause infection. The infection kills flesh and the maggots move on into the bird from the poop.

I never let any birds sleep on the ground. All mine are tault to roost by the time they hit 12 weeks old. Every silkie I have ever had also roosted. All I had to do was teach them.

Matt

 

[Montana-Hens]

They will use the roosts during the daylight hours, so I know that they are right for their use.

Based on what has been said here I am going to have to work hard at training them this is where they sleep.

Wish me luck.

 

[pixiechic]

Mine are 22 weeks and some will roost at night, but about half of them still sleep on the floor - including both silkies (who incidentally make the most adorable little noises at bedtime). Silly chickens.

 

[LynneP]

Is your roost arranged so the wide side is up? Maybe they're hinting for a wide platform? Mine love the platforms and I use a bale of hay for jumping down...