[slop jockey]

I have 8 black rock hens, i've had them 3 weeks (they are now 14 weeks old), at night 4 of them go up onto the one perch all cwtched ( a welsh snuggle) up together whilst the other 4 huddle up on the floor in the one corner. does this mean that they don't know how to perch, or am i missing something altogether the reason why they dont go onto the other perch. thanks

[Spana]

I'd go in after dark and put them up on the perch, you might have to do it a couple of times but they'll soon get the message

[ChrisAndrews]

I've had two batches of hens now and non have ever perched in the house.  Every night i put them up, if i don't they all three pile into one nest box.  They all enjoy perching on bars around the run during the day when preening.

[nicky d]

i had posted something similar with ref to my 3 girls.   So i lowered the perch abit and now 2 of them are perching at night,  nickyx

[slop jockey]

thanks will try the after dark and lift them up onto the perch one and see how we go.

[TeaPots]

it is well worth the effort...a perching hen is less open to problems  that can develop from sitting in a pile of poop, being pooped on from above. Non-perching chooks can get a raw sort of burn along their breastbone too. Good on you for seeing the 'problem', and coming on here to ask.