Young chickens will not roost.

Teabone

Chirping
Jun 11, 2017
20
8
64
I have 6 Bantam chick, 4 barred rocks, and 2 Seabright's. They are close to 2 months old and about 90% feathered out. I have them in my 4 foot by 4 Foot coupe on a plywood floor with about 2 plus inches of Pine shavings. When it gets dark they will bunch up on the floor in a corner of the coupe making no attempt to Roost. They all may get on the roost through out the day but not at night. I would very much like to let them out during the day but they will not return to the coupe so I have been keeping them in the coupe until the go to the roost.

From reading other posts I get the indication that they might be a little young for roosting yet.
 

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They are young & will roost when ready & older.
My BOs slept on the ground/shavings until they were almost 19wks! They'd go up to the highest roost during the day, roost on all levels but not sleep up there. One day I noticed they were up most of the day but got down at close up time. That night I went in & put them up. I know they stayed cause I found their poop in the poop board :) They've been up there every night since.
If you want to let them out, again I think they're too young & need some training. I usually keep mine cooped until 3 - 4 months, it's safer. I used to allow my chickens to "free range" but decided it's less stressful for me when they're safe in their coop. Yours have the lower section they can scratch around in but if you really want to let them out, train them first.
Freeze Dried MealWorms, put some in a small plastic container, go to the coop (inside if you can) & shake it then toss some on the ground in the coop or be patient & hold some out to them in your hand. Do this every day, they will then associate the sound of the shaking to the treat & come running. Then when you do let them out & want them in, go in the coop & shake the container, toss some on the ground. Set up a routine as to the time you want to close them up, they'll end up going in themselves.
Others will have their own experiences to give you ideas....
 
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