When do they start roosting on the roosts?

[Galaxiedriver]

Quote:
Ours were doing that too. They played on the roosts throughout the day, still do. They just don't use them at night yet.

I'll just be patient and let them figure it out on their own.

Thanks for all the responses.

 

[mlm1965]

I have a silkie and a cochin, and I think the cochin just does not use the roost because the silkie will not use it. I have seen both on it at various times, but silkies are known to just sleep in a pile.

 

[luvbiddies]

Quote:
I am having the same problem, my 19 week old pullets, (RIR, IB and BO) are not roosting but are sleeping in the nesting boxes and pooping in the boxes, it is quite a mess. What are some suggestions and do I just ignore and clean out the nesting boxes every day?

Also I think one of my girls has just started laying. She is laying in the hay at the bottom of the coop and I have found two eggs, one yesterday covered with poop and today one that had a very thing shell, it looked like it it had been painted and the paint had started to bubble off. What is that all about?

 

[LegHorn-BusHorn]

I started a small roost when they were about 2 weeks old. They started using it immedately and when I put them outside in the coop they went right to it the first night.

 

[mirwoman]

I think you should be using something round for the roost. Any old sticks or branches will do. 2x4s are probably too big and an awkward shape for chicken feet to grab onto. 1" -2" in diameter is fine. I have made mine out of the branches of a fairly straight birch tree that had been cut for other uses. took two longer stouter pieces then put for smaller cross pieces at intervals. Like a really wide ladder. propped up at a slight angle against one wall of our chicken house.