what age for roost in brooder* update pg 2,that did not go well, help!

[CathyB]

So I have read that heavy breeds wait until they are 6 weeks for a roost. I have BR, RIR, and EE'ers. Well they are two weeks and I think they need something! Every day someone is sitting on top of the waterer, roosting on my feeder, pooping in there! Does thins not mean maybe a roost should be introduced to these little girls??

 

[Chirpy]

I put a roost in the same day I got the chicks .. they were one day old. Within one week a couple of them would jump up onto the roost (it was about three inches off the floor).

I added another, higher roost when they were two weeks old and they started using it within two days.

So - add the roost ...

 

[Shaun Hagan]

Ditto- Mine had several sticks to choose from and are using them after about two weeks. They also roost (and nap) on the top lip of the brooder when we take the cover off.

 

[Smitty's Farm]

Yep, go ahead and put one in. They will love it! It's so cute to see tiny bird's roost.

Last yr we had RIR, SLW, & EE. Our babies this yr are EE, BO, & Blue Ameraucanas.

I have one little EE that just has to come visit me as soon as I lift the brooder lid off. She hops right up to say hello. A few of them love to roost on the edge of the brooder when the lid is off, but we also have roost in there for them to.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Oh yeah, give them a roost!
I put some limbs from trees in with my chicks when they were 4 days old. At 1 week they are trying to perch. Different breeds like the perches. My Jersey Giants aren't perching and I have 3 different size limbs in there. But the first to use the perches were my Barred and Partridge Rocks. Sometimes they just use them as an obstacle course or jumps or diving boards onto other chicks! LOL They are a riot to watch.

 

[Curlita]

My gals are 3 months and 4 weeks and I have a roost in their pen, but they don't seem to be using it. They all curl up to sleep on the floor together. I'm wondering if maybe the dowel I have in is too small?

 

[pookiethebear]

I have a short roost ( a 2x4 on its side edge with a dowl through it) for my 4 week olds (mixed breeds)and a higher roost (2x6 on end with a larger dowel through it) for my 5 week old (these are all RIRs). I find all the reds roosting and there is usually one roosting on the food tray....guess I did not make the roost big enough for all 6.

 

[Jubaby]

We also put in a small roost from the very beginning. At one week, I had several starting to roost.

 

[CathyB]

Ok, so they need something! Do you just go get a broken branch outside and throw it in there? I know with my chinchillas everything needs to be baked first but they are chewing on them

! What about a broom stick?

 

[CritterHill]

Mine are 4 weeks and I am just using branches. They seem to love them!

A couple will try to sleep on them which is really cute to see, but most still huddle on the floor.