Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: jackb256 on August 10, 2008, 23:33

Title: perching
Post by: jackb256 on August 10, 2008, 23:33

i keep putting my 2 young hens on the perch but they just jump off will they just do it naturally they are only 18 weeks old and have come from a breeder and were floor reared

Title: perching
Post by: unaspenser on August 11, 2008, 03:11

If the floor is where they're comfortable, what's the harm?  They have a perch available to them if they want it.  My girls take quite a while to adjust to a change in scenery, and seem to like it when things don't change too much.  Just my two cents. :)

Title: perching
Post by: poultrygeist on August 11, 2008, 15:24

3 of our 6 don't perch as such. They sit on a piece of batten below the perches.

But apparently it can be bad for them though I've never seen why. Maybe someone can explain.  :?

BUt don't let it worry you overly.

Rob 8)

Title: perching
Post by: orfy on August 11, 2008, 16:15

If you look at some of the plastic manufactured coops, they basically just have a slatted floor.

So I really don't think it matters. Can you offer a few different heights.

(http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/5451/dsc000022op9.jpg)

Title: perching
Post by: jackb256 on August 11, 2008, 16:59

i just have one height as i am only in an ark at present until i get the shed/chick house finished ,they seem happy enough was just worried in case its not good for them on the floor

Title: perching
Post by: unaspenser on August 11, 2008, 17:38

I'm sure as long as it's clean and dry your ladies will be just fine. :)

Title: perching
Post by: FCG on August 11, 2008, 23:38

Mine won't perch unless i put them on there, but sometimes one will occasionally.

Title: perching
Post by: orfy on August 12, 2008, 07:42

Jane checked on the hens last night and said one was in the nesting box. So I went to check/remove the chuck.
It wasn't it was happily roosting on the piece of wood I put in place to restrain the nesting material.

It is attached to the floor and around two inches deep. At least it's roosting rather than using the floor/nestbox

Title: perching
Post by: RHYSDAD on August 12, 2008, 08:15

Maybe a natural perch, tree branch, would be better suited to their tastes?

Title: perching
Post by: knittywittywoo on August 13, 2008, 15:33

I have 1 that perches and 1 that prefers the floor.
I have tried perching the 2nd one but she just jumps straight back off and onto the floor. I have decided to leave her there if she is happy.