Why do I care about this?

[swimmer]

Same thing happened to me when I tried putting them on the roost at night. They would all get riled up and jump down. If you can, try moving your roost. Sometimes location makes a difference. I also change out the size of my roost. Had a 2x2 board and switched it to a 2x4 with the 4 inch part they roost on. Maybe try messing around with that.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The only reason I know of that is good for them to roost is if they are sleeping in poop. That's not good for their feet and they get their undersides dirty. If they are not sleeping in poop, then I don't know that it really matters.

I've seen people post on here that they want their chickens to roost so they are safe from predators. I lock mine in a predator-proof coop at night so I don't worry about that. I'm also not aware of any predator that cannot pick them off a roost.

My brooder raised chicks usually do not start to roost until they are about 10 to 12 weeks old, even with older chickens in there to show them where to roost. My broody raised chicks usually start to roost around 4 to 5 weeks old when Mama takes them up there. She does not take them straight to the roosts with the big chickens, but takes them to an intermediate high place, like the top of my nesting boxes, where they can still huddle together although they do not sleep under her.

 

[swimmer]

That is what bothered me the most also. They were pooping all night and laying in it. I thought it just couldn't be good. My Welsummer still sleeps on the floor and sometimes she picks a spot right under where the other girls are roosting.

 

[Kassaundra]

I am raising my first ever chicks EE's in a brooder, they are just now 2wks old and roost every chance they get. They started being able to get to a higher spot in the brooder (large dog kennel w/ plywood surrounding the inside so they couldn't get through the cage) they were getting on the plywood sides. we put a roost in and they are loving it.

 

[Lbrad7]

Don't sweat it; they will move up when they are ready. Instint will kick in sooner or later and they will move up.

 

[sheetmetalpete]

** Update **

Two nights ago my obsession with them not sleeping on their roosts got the best of me. I went out in the coop after dark and put them all on roosts. A couple jumped down right away so I left them. I forgot to check them last night. Just after sunrise this morning I went out to give them a few treats. Most of the girls were outside in their run. I peeked inside to find that my coop light had turned off a bit prematurely leaving the coop a bit dark. That turned out to be a good thing (for me, anyways) as I found three sleepy pullets on their roosts!

 

[swimmer]

I've got three that go straight to the roost, and one that still stays on the ground. So 75% is pretty good. She'll stay by the others, just doesn't like to roost.

 

[TeamChaos]

Hooray, they're getting the hang of it! As to why it bothers you, maybe you're like me and you read and research a subject almost to death, then set "mile stones" to reassure yourself that you're doing things right. When one of those "mile stones" isn't reached, you immediately assume you need to trouble shoot instead of letting it come as it may... ha ha ha, unfortunately living things rarely respect anyone else's time frame for development- kids, chickens, plants- the good news is that I'm learning to just enjoy the experience

Sounds like you are too!