To roost or not

[City Farmer Jim]

I'm probably WAY overthinking this but humor me please lol. I have 2 flocks ish I flock of 5 9 month old laying girls and a second flock of 5 10 to 16 week old girls.
Here's the question, do all need to roost at night? The reason I ask is getting all 10 girls inside the coop and not having territory issues has been a bit of a challenge. I have a night light in the coop that help on the go in part but it seem the longer it stays on the more territory issues happen so the smart human I am set the timer control to turn off the light sooner problem solved...no no no. Now the older girls don't make it to the roost before the light goes off ...is not roosting an issue I should concern myself about?

 

[rosemarythyme]

No, chickens don't HAVE to roost but it's their natural instinct.

Is there not enough natural light in the coop to allow them to all find space on the roost before dark? I know a lot of folks use lights to get chickens inside the coop, but I just find it so much more convenient to not have to worry about that.

Is there not enough floor space/roost space in the coop for all 10 birds? You should have at least 10' of usable roost, ideally in 2 bars, as you have 2 groups of birds that may not be 100% getting along.

 

[Tamdog]

I never have a light. Mine seem to acclimate to going on and getting in there early enough to find a spot, sometimes well before dark. I would do what works with the younger set- so you can get them trained - and the older girls will get it figured out,.

 

[Pghelp]

I'm probably WAY overthinking this but humor me please lol. I have 2 flocks ish I flock of 5 9 month old laying girls and a second flock of 5 10 to 16 week old girls.
Here's the question, do all need to roost at night? The reason I ask is getting all 10 girls inside the coop and not having territory issues has been a bit of a challenge. I have a night light in the coop that help on the go in part but it seem the longer it stays on the more territory issues happen so the smart human I am set the timer control to turn off the light sooner problem solved...no no no. Now the older girls don't make it to the roost before the light goes off ...is not roosting an issue I should concern myself about?

Ours are 8 weeks old and still in a separate coop from the big girls. The first couple of nights we helped place them in the coop and shut them in until early morning. After 2 nights they were happy to go up on their own. Since they're young some are mature enough to want to roost but others of the group of 6 still like to sleep in a chicken pile-up between the roost poles. No night light and they shouldn't need one. I would be concerned as to whether they all have enough space. As they mature they will want to roost and they'll develop their roost buddies they like to cuddle beside, so it's essential that they have enough room to find their favorite spots and not have to fight for space. Overcrowding is the most common cause for coop hostilities.

 

[Mrs. K]

Yes, you are over thinking it. Ditch the light, let them roost where they want, but not the nests.

I have found two or more roosts at the same height much better than a ladder with lower roosts. However, lower roosts away from the other roosts can help sometimes. I give my birds options, and let them make choices. They know more about being chickens than I do.

Mrs K

 

[humblehillsfarm]

They are fine. I have two fat old cochins that I've never seen roost. When I put my 16 week old pullets in with the rest of the flock it was months of them huddling on the floor before they started roosting. To some extent, it's them managing the pecking order than causes the delay. But then again, you could have some weirdos like my cochins!

 

[City Farmer Jim]

I appreciate all the replies and think I will just let them work it out..there is plenty of roost space for everyone. The coop is 8 feet long with 2 8 foot roost poles that the little girls use at the FAR END of the coop away from the big girls. All the big girls all would roost 2 months ago..I think I left this IMPORTANT part out. We have food and water in the coop that basically separates the coop. What is happening is the big girls go in last and mill about getting a bedtime snack and a drink and fail to roost before the lights go out..that usually settles everyone down for the night...I check that everyone is in and have noticed that not all the big girls are not roosting but if I leave the light on there is LOTS of pecking order drama...no light no drama. Chickens are chickens and I'm going to let them work it out.

 

[rosemarythyme]

What is happening is the big girls go in last and mill about getting a bedtime snack and a drink and fail to roost before the lights go out..that usually settles everyone down for the night...I check that everyone is in and have noticed that not all the big girls are not roosting but if I leave the light on there is LOTS of pecking order drama...no light no drama. Chickens are chickens and I'm going to let them work it out.

One thing to try then, leave lights off and remove the feeder a little before dusk falls. Yes they'd like to go to bed with a full tummy, but if they're just milling about and missing roost time, that's no good either. They need to be quick about it and get on the roost!

 

[City Farmer Jim]

I'm going to give them until Friday night to get their act together then out comes food and water.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'm going to give them until Friday night to get their act together then out comes food and water.

Mine have been knocking over the feeder the last few nights so we yanked the feeder before bedtime as well. Sometimes you just have to be a mean parent.