will my Roo help my girls use the perches

[backyardmomma3]

will my Roo encourage my girls to sleep on the perches at night? obviously I don't go into the coop during the night,and I have found a few of my girls on the perches at times which is great but often they tend to spend the nights on the straw bales in the coop..Would simply removing the bales encourage them to sleep on the perches?
Our coop is very secure so the chance of a predator getting is very slim(its an old log shed turned coop)..Ive noticed most of the poop is towards the door of the coop close to the one set of perches,and some directly under the perches so they are being used...just curious if I should put more in,and remove the straw bales.

 

[Chickassan]

Just in my personal experience everybody ends up wanting to sleep close to the rooster so wherever he sleeps put perches close to that area.

 

[backyardmomma3]

Just in my personal experience everybody ends up wanting to sleep close to the rooster so wherever he sleeps put perches close to that area.

That's hat I was thinking..Right now he tends to rest right beside the coop door...Ill just watch for a few days and then go from there.

 

[backyardmomma3]

So my Cockeral(because I guess hes not a rooster until 16weeks) is doing much better today,no pecking of my pullets,and no longer sleeping near the coop door but with the rest of my flock(I was so happy to see this..lol)
I even got to pet him today,while giving him treats(very happy chicken momma here)..
All in All I'm very happy that everyone is doing well with eachother,even my male turkey is warming up to him..lol
now hopefully I can just get my girls to sleep on the perches..lol

 

[Chickassan]

When he grows up a little bit you won't be able to stick a dime between those girls and him on the perches. Just don't pet and spoil him too much especially with food. They start to bite if they think you've got treats and you're not giving them out. I know it's hard not too but you do not want a chicken following you around biting. I'm glad it's going good for you.

 

[Eggcessive]

Make sure the perches are higher than the bales. Usually all chickens will go to the highest spot to roost. They will roost one nest boxes even if they are higher. But when trying to get young ones to roost, I don't put the perches very high. Try putting a bale in front of a roost to hop up on. 2-3 foot high roosts are enough or a little higher. When they gain weight, high roosts can lead to leg and foot injuries.

 

[backyardmomma3]

Make sure the perches are higher than the bales. Usually all chickens will go to the highest spot to roost. They will roost one nest boxes even if they are higher. But when trying to get young ones to roost, I don't put the perches very high. Try putting a bale in front of a roost to hop up on. 2-3 foot high roosts are enough or a little higher. When they gain weight, high roosts can lead to leg and foot injuries.

My highest perch right now is only about 4.5ft high,with other lower perches under it,so they can hop up..Im going to add a few more a little higher up, over the weekend .. I'm just hoping they start using them because my nesting boxes will be going in over the next couple weeks and I do not want them sleeping in them,plus weather will start to cool shortly and even though ive got hay,and straw on the grown and in the coop,I don't want them sleeping on the ground either...Backyard chicken farming is definitely a learning project..lol