Chickens not roosting

MickP · **Joined:** Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:08 pm **Posts:** 8

Hello My chickens are not roosting on the perches I have given them and wondering how I teach them to use the roosting perches and not sleep out side in the run?

geneabovill · **Joined:** Mon Jun 20, 2011 3:48 pm **Posts:** 4

Mine did that. I just put them up on their roost when they were asleep for a few nights, and they worked it out. I've also blocked off access to other parts of the pen/house and let them find their own way to the roosts.

MickP · **Joined:** Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:08 pm **Posts:** 8

Great thanks I will try that

Sebducks · **Joined:** Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:41 pm **Posts:** 812

How old are your chickens? Check the size of your perches too, small or thin perches are hard for chooks to grip onto and if they are slippery then it is also hard, you can rough them up with a bit of sandpaper also. Young chooks take awhile to learn to perch but once they hit a certain age then they seem to "get it". Can you close the door to the coop so that they are inside at night?

Rhode Red · **Posted:** Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:11 pm

MickP,
Follow the tips from Sebducks and Geneovill. Most of the behaviours our chickens have are either learned from their mother or older birds or inate (i.e. just do it, like eating and drinking).

They are generally quick learners, soonce one gets the perching thing the other soon follow.

Rhode Red

MickP · **Joined:** Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:08 pm **Posts:** 8

Well 3 of them have learnt the other a slow learners as yet but I will keep teaching, thanks your ideas have worked on 3 so far the others are younger I think they are about 13 months old give or take

Leahy · **Joined:** Wed Jun 29, 2011 10:58 am **Posts:** 1

I am going to try this idea because mine will not use the roosts either and its a little annoying as I when to allot of trouble to make them

HBG · **Joined:** Thu Sep 10, 2009 6:45 pm **Posts:** 176

Mine all huddle together on the end of the roost looks quite funny :lol:

MickP · **Joined:** Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:08 pm **Posts:** 8

I now have 4 up each night but like your HBG they all squeeze together on one end

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

Ours huddle in a corner too. They pile up on top the hen who is the lowest in the pecking order. I was scared the others would smother her, but it has been so cold that she is probably the warmest under them!

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