Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: wendy on July 29, 2006, 16:19

Title: chicken perches
Post by: wendy on July 29, 2006, 16:19

Hi All,could someone please tell me what the best size perch is for chickens to sit on,at the moment they are perching on a small pine branch put across the pen its about 8ft wide.The perch-pole is about 2-3ins circumferanceI have an idea what i want to replace it with(banister rail)but somewhere in the depths of google-land i read about sizing ,and now cant find it,thought id bookmarked it .
many thanks
wendy :)

Title: chicken perches
Post by: kentishlad on July 31, 2006, 12:46

Hi Wendy,

We got our chooks early this year and remember looking for this information, important points I remember:

diameter approx. 2 inches with rounded edges so a pole is good.

smooth planed - do not use a branch as there are plenty of crevices for red mite to live in.

height should be above the height of the nest box to encourage perching on it

The height should be reasonable ie about 36 inches - too high and heavy birds can damage their feet jumping down (bumble foot)

A bannister rail maybe a tad too big.
Hope this helps.

Wayne.

Title: perches
Post by: wendy on July 31, 2006, 13:39

Hi Wayne,thanks for that info,will find a big pole of the correct dimensions.
best wishes wendy :)