Too many chickens on the top roost

[Allilang]

I have my first 10 chickens and they are about 12 weeks old. I made 4 roosts in a ladder pattern with figuring they would determine a pecking order and choose their roost accordingly. Well, It seems like there really isn't any pecking order and they all get along very well. Last night they were all on the top roost with two of them sitting on top of another two like a chicken Pyramid. Is this something i can just let happen, or should I try to intervene?

I was thinking to move the bottom roost to be equal in height to the top one.

 

[Chicalina]

make all roosts the same height if you can. The ladder thing is whack. They ALL want to be the highest. And even then, there will be good spots and bad spots along the bars.

 

[Folly's place]

If there's space, add another roost at the height of the upper one now. Most recommendations for roost space mention 'one foot per bird', and that's too little by far, IMO. Also having space to fly up and down off each roost is important, and then the birds will sort out who sits where.
Mary

 

[HumbleAmerican]

And with 2 foot per bird of prime roost that is all of the same height, they will still all fight for one 3’ spot.

 

[Folly's place]

So true! Lots of empty roost spaces here, and arguments over the very best spots anyway.
Mary

 

[I Love Feather Babies]

And with 2 foot per bird of prime roost that is all of the same height, they will still all fight for one 3’ spot.

Just like they all want the same nesting box.

 

[HumbleAmerican]

Just like they all want the same nesting box.

Exactly. 6 boxes for 12 hens…… they use 3

 

[saysfaa]

Mine use both nest boxes, lol. They all use one for a month or two or three. And then they all use the other one for a month or two or three.

 

[Allilang]

Thanks for your replies. Although the chicken pyramid is adorable, I will make more prime real-estate and a longer ramp. Moving the low roost bars will also help me with access in cleaning.

 

[Acre4Me]

We have a ladder roost on a hinge. It works great, and we use a hook and pulley on the ceiling to lift and keep it out of the way for cleaning. Most want to be on top, but they settle out on the lower couple roost bars. Also, all new chicks are appropriately relegated to lower roosts.

FWIW, the real pecking order comes out as they start to lay and afterwards. You will see more distinct pecking order among laying hens and older.