Why don't they roost on the roost?

[bocephus]

Buckeyes, around 11-12 weeks old now. There's poop on the roost so I know they go up there but so far they sleep at night bunched up near the door that I close every night.

 

[ashloy]

It's time consuming but we had to put our 5 chickens up on the roost for 3 weeks and now they all do it them self. I think once a couple start roosting the rest should follow. Good luck

 

[ll]

I put my two up on the roost also, a few times and they got the idea.

 

[Mavrik]

I always have a roost in with the chickens from one day old on (miniature, sitting on the floor). They start using the roost while still in the brooder. They get used to roosting very early and transition easier when you move them to the coop. As they grow in the coop, the roost are made wider and higher depending on their jumping ability. I have an introduction pen inside the coop so hens and pullets can get used to each other. Then the introduction pen is then removed.

 

[Ridgerunner]

What you are describing is perfectly normal. When they are chicks, they usually sleep in a group on the floor. They are not cold or anything like that, they just like the company. They will play on the perches during the day, but they are just not ready to transition to the roosts to sleep. If the weather is hot, they may spread out and not sleep in a group, yet remain on the floor.

At some point, one chick decides to actually sleep on the roosts. Within a very few nights, usually one or two nights but sometimes more, all the chicks are sleeping on the roosts. I've had broodies take their chicks to the roosts anywhere from age two weeks to four weeks.

I've had brooder raised chicks start roosting as young as 5-1/2 weeks, though 10 to 12 weeks is more normal. Some take even longer. My brooder raised chicks don't have anyone to teach them to roost, while my broody raised chicks do.

If you wish, you can start setting them on the roosts at night after it is too dark for them to see to get down. All you really have to do is teach one to roost and the others will soon follow. Or you can let them decide when they are ready. It's your personal choice. It really does not matter to the chickens.

 

[bocephus]

No I don't really care where they sleep. I just thought they'd be all over it since they showed a tendency to climb on things very early on. Once I was cleaning the metal dog crate they lived in for the first few weeks. A few of them within minutes of opening the door were trying really hard to perch up on the thin crate bars that were now exposed with the door opened.

 

[77jester]

my birds sleep in the doorway!!!! They are 18 weeks old and they huddle up together all night!!! I have a single perch about 18 inches off the floor made of a 1 1/4 inch dowell?? Should I switch to a 1x3 on side?? or go higher??

 

[ellandeeranch]

Mine do as well, and I suspect heat. Our lows are in the low 80's lately.

my birds sleep in the doorway!!!! They are 18 weeks old and they huddle up together all night!!! I have a single perch about 18 inches off the floor made of a 1 1/4 inch dowell?? Should I switch to a 1x3 on side?? or go higher??