[jackb256]

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

[unaspenser]

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.

[poultrygeist]

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

[orfy]

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.

[jackb256]

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

[unaspenser]

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

[FCG]

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

[orfy]

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

[RHYSDAD]

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

[knittywittywoo]

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.