Will my older girls share the roost?

[perrypogue]

So, I've got 8 ten month old pullets and 9 three week old chicks. I've built a roosting area that has plenty of room with a long ladder for them to reach the high roost. I'm curious about the time when the chicks will also want to roost off the ground. I just don't know if the older birds will share the roosting area or if there will be a problem? Of course they grow fast ... I suspect the chicks will want to go to the roost soon ... what can I expect?

 

[Carolinechicken]

I had the same problem as you. I think that I can help you better if you can tell me if they have been introduced yet.

 

[perrypogue]

Yes, they have been introduced. They were raised with just chicken wire separating them ... now they have been fully integrated. They all run together. The chicks have been accepted by the older girls. But the chicks haven't tried to climb to the roost as yet and I'm wondering if they will be allowed to share or should I build a new ladder ... but I suspect the older birds would just take over the new ladder as well.

 

[aart]

3 weeks might be young yet for roosting.
How high is roost?
Pic of roost and 'ladder' please?

You could try putting them up there to see if they can get and down.
The older birds might still try to keep them off the roost.
I put up separate roosts for younger birds, at just a bit lower than the main roost.