Sleeping Question

[EricsWife]

We have 1 Rooster and 3 Hens. We have had them about 3 weeks now. At night after they settle in their coop two of the hens sleep off to one side while one hen gets in the corner but the rooster settles down on top of her head and front half of her body. Is this normal? There are roost in the coop for them to settle on but they seem to prefer the floor which has about 2 inches of pine shavings.

Thanks.

 

[Kelsie2290]

How old are they? It is pretty common for young birds to sleep on the floor and to pile on each other. Usually a combination of they want the security, and they keep each other warm, and they just aren't comfortable sleeping on the roosts yet balance wise. They'll usually start roosting on their own eventually. If you want, you can put them on the roosts at night and they'll start going up on their own after a few days. Do be sure they can reach the roosts easily and they are a good size for them.

 

[centrarchid]

Breed might be important is flightless like silkies.

 

[EricsWife]

Thank you I will try putting them on the roost to see what happens. I know they can reach the roost because sometimes just around dusk dark they get on them. They are about 2 years old. They were given to us by a friend, the rooster is a RIR and the hens are Dominiques (sp). Thanks again for the info.