Why Aren't My Chickens Roosting?
If your chickens aren't roosting at all, it may be due to several reasons.First, consider age. If your chickens are very young or have recently joined your flock, they may not have learned how to do it yet. Pecking order can also affect roosting. So if you have older chickens that are bullying some of the younger ones, they may be sleeping in strange places.
You may also be trying to get your chickens to bed way too early. Chickens have a natural internal clock that tells them when it is time to go to bed for the night. If you go to the coop and there is still some daylight, they are probably not ready to roost.
Try going out a little later (yes, you will need a flashlight or light in the coop). Alternatively, you can install an automatic coop door opener.
It is a lifesaver because you can set it to be either time or sunlight-controlled. You no longer have to worry about getting your chickens to roost at the right time!
Why Are My Chickens Not Roosting Where I Want Them To?
The second problem you might have is that your chickens are roosting - just not where you want them to roost. Here are some general tips you can follow to make sure your chickens are roosting right where you want them to roost.Check The Numbers
Make sure you have enough perches for all of your chickens. If you do not have enough perches - or if your perches are not wide enough - chances are they will not roost in that area, even if it's the safest. In general, your perches should be at least an inch and a half wide and a foot off the ground. Per bird, you will need eight to ten inches of width on the perches.Count at Night
If your chickens spend the night outdoors, you will need to herd them into the coop at night. This means you will need to count them thoroughly each time you go out to lock them in. Once you have the chickens in the coop, carefully place a few chickens on the roost if they do not jump up on their own. This way you can show them where to sleep.Ditch the Nesting Boxes
There are some nest boxes that are designed to make it harder for chickens to roost in them.You need to make sure your chickens do not get into the bad habit of sleeping in nest boxes! Not only does this keep them from roosting in the right place, but it can also affect laying as the chickens will no longer lay in the boxes, the eggs will get dirty and can even get eaten.
Make sure you stop this behavior from the beginning!
Are the roosting bars dirty?
If your roost bars are dirty, your chickens may be wrinkling their noses (or beaks) out of some snobbery. If so, you should do a thorough cleaning.Often, ammonia fumes are stronger over a roost than in other parts of the coop. Take a good look at your roosting perches and see if you can clean them to encourage your chickens to roost there.
Look for Mites
Sometimes chickens will roost in strange places because they are bothered by mites. They usually roost in nest boxes - but not always.In most cases, you can not see the mites because they come out at night and feed on your chickens. This can be very uncomfortable for your birds. You may be able to see signs of mites, such as red streaks, on your roosting perches. You can also scrutinize the chickens themselves.
If your chickens have mites, you need to take the necessary steps to treat them and prevent them from returning.
Re-Examine Your Roosts
Is there something about the roosts that your chickens do not like? Are they a little bit too thick, or thin, or rough round the edges? If there is something you can do to make the roosts more attractive, do it. You might even need to raise or lower them so they are at an optimal height for your chickens.If you have spots that have proven irresistibly attractive to your chickens, do everything you can to keep them from settling there. Some people use the spiked strips to deter pigeons in urban areas, but that seems a bit extreme to me.
Place Your Chickens Under House Arrest
Do not do this if it's really warm outside - over 70 degrees in the coop - and make sure your chickens have plenty of food and water if you try this.But remember that "chicken house arrest," or perhaps more accurately, "coop training," can be a helpful way to get your chickens to understand where they should roost. Keep your chickens in the coop for a week or more to teach them the concept of a home.
This could be helpful if your chickens are roosting somewhere outside the coop.
Higher is Better
Chickens like to perch as high up as possible. If your roosting perches are near the ground, move them up. Try to avoid materials like plastic or metal, as these can be too slippery or cold for your chickens.Give it Time
Especially if you are adding new chickens to your coop from another farm or home, chances are they have not had enough time to get acclimated. Give them some time, and they'll probably figure out where to sleep at night!Please let us know if you have any more tips on how to get your chickens to roost. Your feedback will be greatly appreciated!
