Teaching to roost on the bar

[theoldchick]

Try using a 2x4 board flat side up as a roost. Make sure it is firmly in place. I like to provide multiple roost areas with different sized poles/board. That way there is plenty of room for everyone.

 

[centrarchid]

Try cheating to make so they cannot roost on nest box by covering it with something.

 

[aart]

Agrees with bigger roost that is up higher and covering the nests with a sharply angled 'roof'.

 

[theoldchick]

This may help you get an idea of an angled roof.

Tip: When raising chickens for eggs, your roosts need to be higher than your chicken nesting boxes or your hens will be tempted to roost in or on the nesting boxes, looking for the highest perch available. Length – Allow for at least 8 inches of roosting bar per hen.

Here is an all natural type of roosts:

Here another idea:

 

[ozzy chooks]

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions.

I am a bit reluctant to change the height of the roost just yet because Des and Raptor are using it and I don't want to disrupt them (especially because it took more than 2 weeks to teach Des to roost there...).

So this is how I am tackling it so far, keeping in mind that Tomi roost on the outer edge of the nest box closer to the wall facing the bar, i.e facing Raptor and Des.

• Day 1: blocked access to the edge of the next box with a wood plank. I found Tomi pacing on the floor of the coop making annoyed and almost crying noise: put her on the roost.
• Day 2: blocked access again. Tomi was on the roost: hurray!
• Day 3: blocked access again. Tomi jumped on the other nest box
• Day 4: blocked access to both boxes with 2 wood planks. Tomi managed to get rid of both planks and was roosting on her usual spot on the edge of the first nest box.
• Day 5: blocked access with a blanket. I found Tomi pacing on the floor and I observed her. While making annoyed and crying noise she kept going up and down looking at Des and Raptor who were on the bar and also looking towards the boxes. Finally she took courage and flew on the bar. So awkwardly that might have hurt Des who made a horrified screech. But in the end: VICTORY.
• Day 6 today will try again the blanket.

Considering what I observed I am not convinced changing the height of the bar might solve the problem. I'll keep using the blanket to cover the boxes at night and see how it goes.

I'll keep you posted.

 

[TwoCrows]

My roost bar is only 15 inches off the floor. The birds don't care that the nest boxes are about the same height. Its a matter of getting them used to using the roosting bar. Dowels do not make good roosting bars, if you dont want to use a 2x4 with the 4 side up, use a tree branch that is rather thick. Heavy birds need bigger grip space. Just keep the nest boxes blocked off at night and repeatedly put the birds on the bar at night, they eventually get the hint.

And as the others have mentioned, you will need to put a top or angled roof over the nest boxes to keep them from sleeping or merely hanging out on them.

 

[EggWalrus]

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions.

I am a bit reluctant to change the height of the roost just yet because Des and Raptor are using it and I don't want to disrupt them (especially because it took more than 2 weeks to teach Des to roost there...).

So this is how I am tackling it so far, keeping in mind that Tomi roost on the outer edge of the nest box closer to the wall facing the bar, i.e facing Raptor and Des.

• Day 1: blocked access to the edge of the next box with a wood plank. I found Tomi pacing on the floor of the coop making annoyed and almost crying noise: put her on the roost.
• Day 2: blocked access again. Tomi was on the roost: hurray!
• Day 3: blocked access again. Tomi jumped on the other nest box
• Day 4: blocked access to both boxes with 2 wood planks. Tomi managed to get rid of both planks and was roosting on her usual spot on the edge of the first nest box.
• Day 5: blocked access with a blanket. I found Tomi pacing on the floor and I observed her. While making annoyed and crying noise she kept going up and down looking at Des and Raptor who were on the bar and also looking towards the boxes. Finally she took courage and flew on the bar. So awkwardly that might have hurt Des who made a horrified screech. But in the end: VICTORY.
• Day 6 today will try again the blanket.

Considering what I observed I am not convinced changing the height of the bar might solve the problem. I'll keep using the blanket to cover the boxes at night and see how it goes.

I'll keep you posted.

Ok, I know finding the search function here can be quite a task, and if you ever if it, there are hundreds of articles with advice as to roosting problems. To answer your question, your Roost is WAY TOO LOW. If you don't believe all of us here, or just don't feel like moving the existing roost, Dont move it.

But at least try this easy test for the sake of your bird's sanity. grab a 2x4, a small tree limb, or an old shovel handle and nail it up about 2 feet higher that the roost you have that is dead even with the nest. All 3 birds will use it the very first night. Other than Silkies and a few ground nesting birds, most all chickens seek (and need for less stress) a roost higher than the nests. They feel safer from predators up there. The reason your birds are stressing and freaking out at bed time is because they don't have a roost, just a hopping point to get to a roost that isn't there. Just try putting a roost pole up where is supposed to be and your problem will be over.

Good luck.


Just because who ever owned the house before had a farm, doesn't mean they knew what they were doing. And just leave the old roost as a step to help them get up to the real roost. And don't put it directly over the old one, go up 2 feet or more, and a foot back towards the wall.

 

[EggWalrus]

Here is the coop.
Difficult to take a decent picture of a small space.

After looking at your pic better, the new roost pole could stand to be thicker than the one you have, it would be easier on their little feet. But definitely try putting a pole up a couple of feet higher, higher the better because they will feel safer.

 

[BDutch]

pic from a dutch website http://www.jouwkippenhok.nl/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/zitstok-voor-kippen.jpg

Rounded edges but not round and not too small. But it also depends on the breed what is the best roost. Some chickens prefer a tree.