[ejcleanup]

I have been reading about putting chickens on perches to roost at night and I am wondering why they need to do this?

My chicken sleep on the floor of the coop which is elevated and it has wood shaving on the floor and they seem happy, can anyone explain why it's so important to roost on a perch.

Thanks

[richyrich7]

So they don't sit in poo and I believe it's natural for them to do so

[ejcleanup]

There are two perches in my coop, if it's natural why aren't they going up there by themselves?

[Foxy]

It is just a question of time, youngsters dont tend to perch straightaway - but sit on the floor, eventually they will prefer to perch as instinct tells them it is safer to roost as high as possible.
There is also a heirarchy when it comes to roosting, the most dominant bird will normally be the one roosting the highest, so this behaviour when introducing "new" to "old" is why also the youngsters don't feel comfortable perching straightaway.
With my younger birds I give them a training perch to start off with, just a little perch about 4 inches of the ground, they usually pop themselves on that at night

[ejcleanup]

Thanks for that, it all makes sense now.

[hillbilly]

It is just a question of time, youngsters dont tend to perch straightaway - but sit on the floor, eventually they will prefer to perch as instinct tells them it is safer to roost as high as possible.
There is also a heirarchy when it comes to roosting, the most dominant bird will normally be the one roosting the highest, so this behaviour when introducing "new" to "old" is why also the youngsters don't feel comfortable perching straightaway.
With my younger birds I give them a training perch to start off with, just a little perch about 4 inches of the ground, they usually pop themselves on that at night

Would that low perch be a good idea for ex batts if they have weak legs or need encouraging?