4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[eggregiousness]

My 14 week old cochins don't like the roosting bars and alwats sleep in a corner on a nice bed of hemcore. Should I insist on putting the bars in or just let them sleep on a comfy bed? When my 2 new girls arrive and have been introduced (a houdan and an araucana) should the bars go in then?

Thanks!

[ChrisEllis]

am i right in understanding they dont lay yet? They are still young, i would give them some more time and keep them there. i mean i have frizzlexsilkies, they are 2 weeks old and yet one of them jus loves t hop onto my finger and happily sit there.

[Egluntyne]

I would put the bars in and give them the choice. Some hens seem not to like to roost.

Perhaps you could block the corner off so that they have no option?

[chick wiggle]

When my girls were young they slept in the nest box but when they grew and started laying they moved onto the roosting bars.

[henriette]

My three hens and my cockerel all refuse to perch despite frequent efforts to encourage them. As our cube still hasn't arrive (apparently lost in transit so awaiting another one)they are having to sleep outside at the moment, with a tent type cover if they want it. We were hoping they would perch on the branches of the low apple trees, but no, they huddle up together on the ground. All the hens I have had in the past have perched, but for some reason, no this little group. I was worried at first as I always thought it was bad for they feet if they didn't perch, but they don't seem to have problems at the moment.

[eggregiousness]

My three hens and my cockerel all refuse to perch despite frequent efforts to encourage them. As our cube still hasn't arrive (apparently lost in transit so awaiting another one)they are having to sleep outside at the moment, with a tent type cover if they want it. We were hoping they would perch on the branches of the low apple trees, but no, they huddle up together on the ground. All the hens I have had in the past have perched, but for some reason, no this little group. I was worried at first as I always thought it was bad for they feet if they didn't perch, but they don't seem to have problems at the moment.

 

What breed are yours Henriette? I was wondering if it might be anything to do with the breed?

[henriette]

eggregiousness,

Unfortunately my little girls and boy are very much a mixture! They were given to me by a neighbour who has dozens of liquorice allsorts. The smallest one, Mrs Chooken, we had as a chick, (one of 3, but sadly the other two died) but Henri,Clarabelle and Desdemona were already some months old. Infact Desdemona was a much older hen. My neighbour had no idea how old she was, so I don't know either. I asked him whether his perched or not, and he said that they didn't usually. He has lots of perches available for them.

[Redwing]

I have some hens that wont perch, the trouble is that they have lost feathers from their tummies due to the warmth and humidity associated with sleeping straight on the bedding, I have to change the bedding every couple of days or they would get filthy too

[Patricia W]

My three always slept in the nest box in the eglu, but in the cube, they automatically use the bars. In fact, the nest box is only ever entered when an egg is on the way so is pristine!

 

My young ones in the eglu, still use the nest box. It'll be interesting to see what happens when ( eventually) I let them all sleep together

 

Tricia

[eggregiousness]

Right - I have put all the bars and nest boxes in the house and I'll see what they think. At the moment they are peering in through the front door and thinking they must have the wrong house! (Does anyone else have that dream - or is it just me?). Thanks for all the advice once again!