Will they learn to roost?

[terrapinfarm]

I have 6 barred rock and 6 "golden red" (a RIR derivative) that are 6 weeks old. Today I moved them from an indoor box to an outdoor coop. I watched them on and off all day and they seemed to be fine - exploring their new home.

A little before dark I put most of them on the roosting poles I've set up. They would walk around, sit on it for a bit, then fly or walk down to the ground and rejoin the others.

I just went out to check on them (10:30pm) and they are are on the ground huddled up in one corner sleeping.

Will they eventually learn to roost at night?

 

[jessupfamily]

Yes they will learn to roost. When they are little I think they feel safer huddled in a corner. If they were with a mama they would still be going under or at least next to her at night and not on the roosting bars with others.
Amy J.

 

[DementedHam]

Yes. They may still like to hudle together but eventually they will become independant and roost as high as they like.

 

[bigzio]

Sometimes it takes quite a while before the birds enjoy to go to roost. Usually by the time they are adults ( full year old ) they will enjoy the roost. Don't worry, and it is normal for the birds to flock together while younger.

bigzio

 

[mainely-chick]

I had the same thing. But I went out here night after night
and placed them up. Every night got fewer and fewer. After
four or five nights all but one - she eventually got lonely and went up too !!

 

[MayberrySaint]

Mine use the roosts during the day before I let them out to free-range and will roost in my bushes and low tree branches but absolutely refuse to use the roosts at night. They are 10 weeks old and huddle in one corner...even when it is warm. However, the last several nights I have noticed them starting to spread out more so maybe some adventurous ones will start to use th roosts.

Andy

 

[chickenwoods]

Yes,it is normal for them to want to roost on the ground all huddled up when they are younger.

It think that the have to develop strength in thier legs before they can handle the roost.Just my thoughts though?

My birds did that until about 3 weeks,then off and on for a couple weeks, now at 15 weeks they all sleep on thier 1x4 roost.They even go up in the day time to play on the roost.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

They'll learn with no problem. My 5 week olds now have a contest going on who can get to the highest roost first!

Only my little crooked-neck Tessie doesn't get on the roost. I'm thinking when she gets a bit bigger she may try it out.

Coyote