Terror on the roost

[LynneP]

Same here- they like platforms, too. Wider the better- fewer accidents...

 

[Emzyyy]

Mine used to do the same thing and then I added another roost a couple feet away and now they're more civilized about it.

 

[OhMyItsAndyy]

I've never had anything like that, but maybe that's because i have had my roosts at teh same height every time "/

 

[PaintedPony]

Hmm, mine don't fight either. Actually many of mine prefer to sleep on the ground in a big pile even though there is plenty of roosting space. Anyone else have hens that prefer to sleep in a pile, on the ground, like a bunch of baby chicks?

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

I get to hear and see all the fighting, pecking, and pushing also. All the girls want to be beside the roo. I have 20' of roost pole, yet all the girls and the roo only use 4' to 5' of it. Sometimes the roo will get aggravated with the commotion and push all of the girls off of the roost and make them start all over again. Very sweet girls until bedtime...

 

[savingdogs]

My husband made our chickens a roosting rack we saw pictured in a book. It is like a slanted rack, with slats across like ladder slats and chicken wire between. We have a pull out tray below it to collect the poo.
They have always loved sleeping on this from almost the day we put them out there as chicks. They never sleep anywhere else. It is roomy enough for the amount of birds we have so we are probably in a similar situation as the people who posted above me, we have plenty of roosting space.

Maybe you just don't have enough space. My chickens cuddle up together at night and act all loving, it is really cute. They never fight. When you look at our space when they are sleeping, you could count up at least four or five empty spaces on the rack the way they bunch together.

Why don't you try doubling the amount of roosting area you provide and see if they don't all settle down.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Yep, same here. Plenty of roost but it's who gets to sleep beside the rooster that counts. Also, my roosts are all on the same level, so I don't think that's an issue. It's just the way chickens are.

 

[magentamomma]

mine have plenty of space but still complain and talk at eachother for awhile. My wyandotte is one of the worst too. its like when my daughters have a sleepover, lots of jostling and complaining, but then they settle. my 4 month olds still sleep in a heap on the floor.

 

[beachchickie]

I am curious if those that fight are the ones not raised together. I did not have fighting until I introduced the newbies. Every time a new batch of babies gets old enough for the roost they get harrassed to death. I do behavior modification techniques that work pretty well. A water gun. My RIR is as dominant as they come but only to the ones not raised with her. The ones raised with her she considers the same as her and she doesn't peck them she will knock them off as she settles in but the others she pecks hard and they scream. I water pistol her and she hates it. Now she gets in her spot and sticks with it for the most part.

 

[Mahonri]

Mine used to fight for best position.

Now they all know where they belong so they just go there.

All has to do with pecking order.