why wont they roost at night?

[Frza]

We have 4 girls that are now 2 1/2 months old. They have been out in the coop for just about a month now. They sleep all piled up on top of eachother in 1 nest box. At first I thought they were cold but it has warmed up quiet a bit now and they still sleep in the pile. We have a nice roost running the length of the hen house. I have seen a couple of them perched upon it when I let them out in the morning, but I don't think that anyone has slept up there all night yet. Is this something that they will learn with age? Is something about the set up uncomfortable for them? I know they can't see well at night, maybe they don't see the roost pole? Is there anything I can do to encourage them to get up there?

 

[CoopCrazy]

Start blocking off the nest boxes ..., They shouldnt have access until they closer to time to lay ... Also you can physically put them up on the roost... I guess I should have asked first but they arent silkies are they?? Silkies will pile and very seldomly learn to roost....

 

[justmeandtheflock]

Mine did that for a while. Eventually they started roosting 1 by 1 when they were ready.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Chicks love sleeping in a pile. It is not just to keep warm. They get a lot of comfort with the company. Mine generally sleep on the floor in a pile until they are about 10 to 11 weeks old, then they start sleeping on the roosts. Others report on this forum that it takes theirs even longer to get comfortable enough with roosting to start. Mine practice perching and playing on the roosts during the day, but sleep piled up. When they are emotionally and mentally ready to face the long night on their own instead of on top of or under their buddies, they will take themselves to the roosts.

I second the comment about blocking off the nesting boxes until they learn to roost. Chickens are creatures of habit. You don't want them to learn to roost in there. I'd suggest leaving the nesting boxes blocked off until they are at least 16 weeks old, then putting a fake egg in them and see if you have problems with them sleeping in there before they start to lay. You do want them to start laying in the nesting boxes since they are creatures of habit. It is extremely rare but some chickens actually start laying at 16 weeks. Out of 23 pullets, my first one started laying at 18 weeks, but most waited until they were about 6 months old.

Chill and let them be children a while longer. They grow up so fast anyway.

 

[PinkieSue]

I have two cochin hens that are probably 1 year old. Neither of them roost, they cuddle together in the shavings on the bottom of their coop. Is there a problem with them doing this? I have a roost provided and have put them both on it several times without success.

 

[Ridgerunner]

As long as they are not sleeping in poop, I am not aware of any real problems with them sleeping on the floor. You might just want to rake it or stir it up if they don't do that themselves.

I assume they are locked in a safe coop at night? I really can't think of any predator them being on a roost in a coop will stop or even seriously slow down. In my opinion, as long as they are safely locked in, they are as safe on the floor as on a roost.

 

[CoopCrazy]

Quote:
One thing I worry about is if the shaving get wet.. I dont like any of my birds to sleep on the floor , higher chance a rat may get its teeth in them...