when should my babies start using a roost in the brooder?

[shend]

I've tried putting a branch in for a roost for my wk old chicks, but they jump or fall right off. When will they want to roost? Do I just keep putting them up on it?

 

[Domestic_goddess]

Mine started doing it naturally at 2 weeks, they like to sleep off the ground by instint...Don't worry they will do it eventually! I noticed them trying to get on top of the waterer and knew it was time to put in a roost! Good luck.

 

[gryeyes]

They may not SLEEP on the roost for several weeks, even outside in a coop. None of mine, did, anyway.... everybody was 12 weeks old or thereabouts before they actually slept on the roost. The rest of the time, they practiced during the day like Big Chickens, but slept on the floor.

The only roosting chicks I've ever had are the three raised by broody hens; momma gave them incentive to roost up there right next to her when they were about 3 weeks old.

 

[zookyla]

This is my first time raising chicks. I got mine almost a week ago and put some sticks in for roosts this week because they kept roosting on the feeder. I changed feeders and added the sticks. Some are roosting and some are not.

 

[gritsar]

Like everything else with chickens....they'll do it when they get darned good and ready to, and not a moment before.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I keep a "practice roost" in my brooder.

It's been my experience that chicks will start to play on it when they're about a week old. At two weeks if the weather is warm enough the first bird or two will begin to roost on it though not all the time. Slowly more of them will begin to use it if the temperature it warm enough.

I have two grow-out pens of young pullets now. The first one has about fifty White Leghorn pullets. At six weeks three-quarters of them were roosting at night. By seven weeks they all were. The second one is full of mostly ISA Browns and a handful of Easter Eggers. They're just now six weeks and most of them are still sleeping on the ground. As of tonight I counted eight on the roost which is two more than last night. I expect there will be two or three more every night until they're all up.

 

[dbounds10]

Mine are 2 wks old and I put a branch in there about 4 days ago. They all get up there and a couple sleep up there. Its pretty funny because when they fall asleep. Their head hangs to the floor with their butts in the air!

 

[zengrrl]

I had no idea how to put a roost in my giant tupperware type container but the new dishwasher came in today with a nice piece of wood, the chicks love it!

 

[FMAFarms]

Each birdie is different. I had Ameraucanas perching at one week, and I've had Ameraucanas who didn't perch until 4 weeks. If you're near a pet store, they sell little bird ladders you can prop up as ready-made perches, if you can't find good sticks...

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

I use a 1/4 inch dowel that I got at the hardware store. I just wedged it between the bars tightly when they were about 3 weeks old. Everyone learned at their own speed (4 dif breeds; 2 one week younger than the other 2) but everyone has it down now! They're 6 and 5 weeks old now.

My Brahma took the longest to figure it out. S/he doesn't balance to well so every time s/he tried to jump up s/he'd over shoot or undershoot and fall off. Now s/he's big enough that s/he can just step on...