New Buffs don't know how to roost

[jonig]

We have 4 birds in a mixed flock, SLW, Danish leghorn and Barred rock (all 19 weeks old). My son gave us 3 Buff Orpingtons (about 14 weeks old), 2 weeks ago. We kept them in the run area in a dog ex-pen. At first they didn't know how to roost at all, as my son had raised them on the ground in a pen in the house. 2 of 3 have learned to get on a roost at night. Today we have decided to let them be part of the original flock, as they had been free ranging nicely with the original pullets and my husband had recently added a new coop to the run. The 4 original pullets took right to the new coop but the 3 new birds act like we're trying to kill them when we try to keep them in the coop with the original birds. We finally decided to put them in the old coop that now houses the silkies our son also just gave us. The old coop had a coop on top and wired run on bottom with some sides covered. The silkies only lay on the ground in the bottom, so we put the Buffs in the top, since they wouldn't go in with the other pullets. We blocked the opening to make them stay in there, but they aren't going on the roosts and are huddled in the attached nesting boxes. The old coop was a kit we bought from Costco, so nesting boxes were attached to the coop portion. Will we ever get these Buffs fully integrated into our flock and roosting like the rest? How can we get them to stay in the new coop with the original pullets? Are we doing something wrong?

 

[junebuggena]

It's not unusual at all. Some batches of chicks I've raised didn't start roosting till about 14 to 18 weeks of age. Others got it right away, at only 6 weeks old. Multiple roosts can help, since some dominant birds will not allow lower ranking birds on 'their' roost.

 

[ChickNanny13]

2x

 

[jonig]

It's not unusual at all. Some batches of chicks I've raised didn't start roosting till about 14 to 18 weeks of age. Others got it right away, at only 6 weeks old. Multiple roosts can help, since some dominant birds will not allow lower ranking birds on 'their' roost.

We do have multiple roosts in the new coop, some at different heights. The Buffs however, were absolutely frantic to get out of that coop. They seem terrified of the older birds, even though the older birds don't really bother them. The Buffs are so docile and we've been careful to make sure the others don't peck them too much. I guess my other question is if the Buffs won't go into the coop, should we make them or let them roost in the run? I just don't like the idea that they won't go in the coop.

 

[junebuggena]

Depends how secure your run is.

 

[jonig]

Depends how secure your run is.

The lower part of the run is 1/2 inch hardwire, 2 feet around, the upper is 2x4 wire and the top is covered in netting. If they were to roost near to the edge of the run on one of the logs, in theory a larger animal (racoon) could reach in and grab them if they could get 24" off the ground. I don't really know if they could or not, but I wouldn't want to take a chance of them getting snatched while asleep.

 

[ChickNanny13]

You could put the Buffs in the coop/roost when it's dark, may take a several times. My BO wouldn't roost, at 18wks still sleeping in the corner on the shavings but on the roost during the day, I put them up on the roost when it got dark. It took a few nights but they got it. Patience ... They are ver docile and great birds.

 

[GreenbrierChickens]

I have a BO and a WO. Both slept on the floor until recently. One sleeps up on shelf with 8 other birds. But the WO keeps sleeping in the neating box. Poop everywhere. Oh no, bird.... Pulled her to a roost 3 nights and she's not getting the hint. I don't want to block off coops. Even gave her a milk crate full of shavings at the level of the nesting boxes. Shes a chicken I really like, but poop covered eggs is a fine line around here. She's got a month of retraining or the stock pot. Sad but true. Good luck with yours.