[Boxfanman]

Just been to shut in my hens and they were all cuddled up and not roosting on their perch!

Why would they settle in their nesting boxes, and not perch?

[nettynoodles1]

hi probably because its more comfy or they are not used to perching.
could be any number of reasons mine do a bit of both lol.

[Boxfanman]

I have seen them perching previously, although haven't disturbed them at night before, but was feeling a bit paranoid after reading some threads, and they seemed very quiet...

[Poolfield2]

Don't worry they will be quite happy like that and then one night you'll look and they'll be roosting. One of mine will go for weeks roosting and then we will have a few night back in the nestbox. The only problem is when the poop in the nestbox cos then you have to keep cleaning it out :roll:

[richyrich7]

All depends on where they come from I think, my last lot of hens came from barn conditions not used to roosting so I had to put them on the perch everynight for a week untill they got the hang of things , these I have now where used to free ranging and perching only had 1 night of not roosting.

Just pick them up and put on the perch last thing at night when they have settled, be gentle and no sudden movements you don't want to scare them . They will soon get the idea they can be quite intelligent sometimes  :roll:

[GrannieAnnie]

With my Babcocks, some of them roost on their perches, some stay on the floor all cuddled up together!

[mumsy]

Mine never roosted til they went on holiday to Babe's, since then they all perch at night.................even though they took their house with them        Only took them a year to realise