They Aren't Perching

[808momof4]

We built a huge coop for our 8 pullets. They are 11 weeks old and all sleep huddled in the corner on top of each other. Is this normal? Or is something wrong? We live in Hawaii where the temps don't drop below 70 at night this time of year. So, the amount of open at the front shouldn't be a problem. We plan to add nesting boxes in the near future because they will be 3 months old on Monday.

 

[DanEP]

They will perch when their ready, some will start perching in the brooder and others might take a few months either way is fine. You can try placing one or two of them on the roost after dark to kind of give them the Idea but this may take a few nights for them to catch on. I never worry about it anymore as instinct will kick in sooner or later.
Just make sure that when you add nest boxes that they are lower than the roost or they will get in the habit of sleeping in there which will make for messy eggs and is a hard habit to break once they start.

 

[jthornton]

Where is the roost?

JT

 

[808momof4]

Where is the roost?

JT

It's along the back. You can see it in the pictures. Not too far off the floor.

 

[50-45-1]

You could try placing them on the roost. Go out after dark with a dim flashlight. Get them on the roost and turn off the light and close them up.
They will stay put in the darkness and get the idea.
Good luck!

 

[jthornton]

You might want to ease the edges of that 2x4. If one figures it out the rest will follow. Try putting a temporary ramp up to the roost, like a 1x8 so they can walk up and explore it. My last group had ramps all over the place from the brooder because they were too big to be confined all day so they had 1/2 the garage to explore. I placed treats at the end of the ramp to get them to explore.

Both of my groups were roosting within a week or so. All of mine are/were Rhode Island Reds or Barred Rock. Some breeds may be different I don't know.

JT