Why don’t they sleep on the roosting perches?!

[SaraKallus]

Hi,

I have an open style chicken pen. There is a nesting box and roosting perches. The youngsters got used to sleep inside one of the nesting boxes when they where small and they keep doing that. The rooster and hen choose to sleep on top of the nesting box. What could be the reason they don’t sleep on the roosting perches and how can I stop them from sleeping on the nesting box?!
Any advice? Attached some pictures for you to get an idea.

Thanks,
Sara

 

[EggSighted4Life]

What could be the reason they don’t sleep on the roosting perches and how can I stop them from sleeping on the nesting box?!
Any advice?

Block the nesting boxes. After dark go move birds to where you want them to roost. Do this several nights in a row if needed.. they usually get the message quickly and fall in line.

Your roost themselves might be to thin for comfort. Birds don't grip with their feet when asleep really.. they rest on the keel bone and their feet are mostly relaxed.

Can that Silkie even get as high as your roost?

I can't make out the top of the enclosure.. but if it seems too open they may avoid it as a means of self preservation. Beyond that, they just haven't matured enough to figure things out yet.