[ness]

Hello
I've been sorting out my ladies sleeping and nesting quarters.  Their house is a large rabbit hutch and they sleep on the floor of the smaller compartment.  There was a perch in the larger bit but I have taken in out to put a nest box in as they weren't using it (I really tried! :roll: ).
Do they need to perch?  If so how high should it be for bantams - and does have clipped wings affect them being able to perch?  Plus the sleeping compartment is quite small (2 foot x 2 foot) would they have enough room to jump up and off the perch?
Thanks
Ness

[Aunt Sally]

I wouldn't worry about a perch Ness.  I'd probably make some bars like they have in the eglu.

http://www.omlet.co.uk/products_services/products_services.php?view=Chickens&about=the%20eglu&rolling_image_id=3

[alibean]

Hi Ness
I'm new too so not at all qualified to reply (haven't even got the chickens yet ) - but I read somewhere that chickens need 30cm each of perch to roost on.  All books seem to say that bantams = about 2 thirds of a chicken space-wise.  Everyone seemingly says that as long as they are warm and comfy and well fed and watered and free from draughts that that is the main thing.  Sorry but no idea about bantams and the high jump.......

Perhaps look on the poultry information forum - this seems to be very informative.

[richyrich7]

I'm with Aunty in your situation Ness depends on how much head height you have I suppose.

I keep mine in the shed their perch is about 3' off the ground, but the have a ladder I made for them to get up and down easier, the perch itself is a bit of 3x2 with the edges rounded off they perch on the 3" side.

[Bodger]

Perching is one of the basic instincts in a chicken and for welfare reasons it should be accomodated if at all possible.

[ness]

I could easily put a low perch in (about 6 inches off the floor) but would they want to perch on it?  

I did try to get them to perch in the large compartment but mother hen kept falling off  :shock: .  I have since seen her perching in their run so I think she was pulling a fast one so she could go back to the cozy straw filled nest box!  :roll:

[poultrygeist]

When I built our coop, I dutifully made 2 very sturdy perches, 3ft long out of 40x30ish round edged timber about 12" high. I think at most 2 of our hens use them so we took one perch out to give them more space and the others use the nest box or a corner of the main coop.
They all perch on a branch in the run to preen in the evening so no probs, just their preferences I guess.

I can't see a prob with one 6" of the floor.

Rob