why won't they perch?

[sugarbell99]

I got 10 new standard Brahmas, they are 4 mos old. Where I got them they were in wire cages with a wooden box attached. I have a large coop with a large ladder perch that goes up the wall. These birds will not perch but sleep under the ladder which is not too pretty. I put them on the lowest perch each night when it is fairly dark in the coop but still enough light to see. They will stay for just seconds before jumping to the floor. This is very anoying. I'm afraid when they start to lay they will do it under the ladder and not in a nest box which will leave me with a bunch of dirty eggs. Please help!

 

[flockoffour]

I had the same problem,infact, all four of my hens would go into ONE nesting box! I gave them time, and now they are six months old and sleeping on their perch, just in time for eggs. You could continue placing them on the perch too. Also, it may be easier if you start out with it only 3 or four inches above the ground, and gradually raise it if possible. I ad to start mine with a shorter perch. If they are already laying, you could put golf balls or fake eggs in the nesting box, and place them on the perch at night to try to establish the purpose for both features. Good luck!

 

[Ole rooster]

I've always waited till it's to dark to see. That way they are sorta in a "stay where they're put" zone. I get my low light flashlight so I can see a little and put the pullets on the tallest perch. I have one of the military flashlight that have different colored lens. I like the red lens. That keep the light really hard to see with but it's fine in the coop. It normally takes me about 5 to 6 days for them to see what I want. But they get do get it.

 

[1muttsfan]

They are just too young to want to perch yet, and find comfort snuggling together. They will start perching on their own when they get a little older.

 

[sugarbell99]

Thanks for the replies.The only reason I worry they won't perch is because the last trio of Brahmas I got from the same place have been sleeping on the floor for 2 years now and I thought I could catch this early before they got in the same habit. The 2 hens from that trio lay there eggs on the floor wherever they want. I have stepped on a few.

 

[chicken pickin]

I've always waited till it's to dark to see. That way they are sorta in a "stay where they're put" zone. I get my low light flashlight so I can see a little and put the pullets on the tallest perch. I have one of the military flashlight that have different colored lens. I like the red lens. That keep the light really hard to see with but it's fine in the coop. It normally takes me about 5 to 6 days for them to see what I want. But they get do get it.

I like this idea. They do get in a "stay where they are" mode once its dark. It might just work. Chicks will start to perch at 2 weeks old if a roost is offered to them. If they have never had that the idea is foreign to them but the natural instinct is still there it probably just needs a little nudge of encouragement. Id keep trying and place them on the roost every night. Once one gets the idea the others will follow.

 

[sugarbell99]

Thanks for the support, I'll keep at it.