Is your dog's unusual barking a secret code for something mysterious?

[a- winters-tail]

Dear All, I got four Ex-batts 6 weeks ago and two have never used a perch and don't seem to even try. The other two did since day two! Does it matter really?

[Redwing]

not really

 

Some chooks get rather hot and can lose feathers from their tummies (even making the area sore) if they roost on the floor but nearly all of my lot dont perch and are in good condition

 

There may be a problem if the two roosting are above the other two and are able to poo on them

[Lavenders_Blue]

It's perfectly okay for them not to roost. If you're bothered about them sleeping in the nest box (I'm assuming this is where they are sleeping?) then you can lift them onto the perches. They should eventually get the hang of where they are supposed to sleep. But if you're not bothered then I'd just leave them to it. It may be that they need to build up a bit of strength in their legs, and once they have done so they may decide to perch anyway.

I must admit, when I got my ex batts 2 years ago, I made the decision that after having such a horrid life in the battery if they wanted to cuddle up in the nest box overnight then I'd let them get on with it. But then I am a total softy

[Space Chick]

My first intake of ex batts never perched they slept in the nest box of the cube... My current lot like perching in the WIR, and in fact sleep on a perch in the run rather than the cube. If they are healthy and happy, leave them to it

[sandyhas3chucks]

only a few of mine have ever perched. I take the rear bars out and use chopped straw there as well as the nest, a few seconds daily poo picking is all it takes.. They perch on the edge of the nest and the front bars if they want but mostly they like to snuggle up all comfy and cosy It is sooo lovely as said, after the life they have had, to see them enjoying the comfort.

[majuka]

Some of my ex batts have roosted from day one, some prefer lying on the hard floor by the roost bars and some sleep in the nest box. Occasionally they have a bit of a change around, keeps us on our toes guessing where they will be when we go to tuck them up!

[memphisto]

Only 2 of my hybrids roost every night.

 

The other three congregate on the floor of the coop away from those roosting on the bars, they all seem happy enough so I'm not going to interfere with them!