Will not use roosting poles

[PirateGirl]

The top roosting pole might be too close to the wall, but the bottom one looks fine...

I was kinda thinking that on first glance too. Also I'm not sure if that window opens or not, but they might not like being by a draft or by the window for some reason. Perhaps when on the lower pole the bump the upper pole (though it's hard to say for sure).

 

[Bubba8]

I was kinda thinking that on first glance too. Also I'm not sure if that window opens or not, but they might not like being by a draft or by the window for some reason. Perhaps when on the lower pole the bump the upper pole (though it's hard to say for sure).

Got it. Thank you for the advice. I will mess around with the poles a little and make a more gradual ramp.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Got it. Thank you for the advice. I will mess around with the poles a little and make a more gradual ramp.

If alterations to roost positioning still don't work (and I agree the top one may be too close to wall/window), them I'm thinking the birds were never really encouraged to roost and have gotten in the habit of not using them. You can try training them into it by manually placing them on the roosts each night at/after dark, and see if they gradually begin picking it up. Glad to see there's natural light in the coop though, that's a common issue that can interfere with roosting.

I don't think it harms them in any way to simply sit on the floor or a shelf, however you obviously don't want them pooping in nest boxes and it really would be nice to keep all nightly messes contained in one area!

 

[ColtHandorf]

You might try moving the ramp/ladder off the wall too. My big Orpingtons like a lot of room to do stuff. They need a wide and gently sloping ladder/ramp to reach their roosts.

 

[Bubba8]

Just a follow up I replaced the 1 1/2" poles with 2" x 3" dimensional lumber and made a more gradual ramp and messed around with the location of the poles a bit and success! They use the roosting poles now. Thank you again everyone.