[Tinkers]

Hi Everyone,

My partner and I are completely new to keeping chickens. We got our first three pullets a week ago today, we love them and now spend most of our time watching them and laughing as their little personalities come through by the day.

They have a perch inside of their coop and we know that they should be using it - but try as we might we just can't seem to get them on it! We have tried lifting each one up and placing their toes around the perch but they just jump off and look quite put out. We know they were floor reared but we have a picnic table in the garden and they are quite happy to sit underneath on the beams - so it's not like they are finding it difficult to adapt to sitting on a 'perch', instead they prefer to huddle up (on top of each other) in one nest box! Tonight we tried to block the nesting boxes off but we went out with a torch at 10pm, when they are usually asleep, but they were walking around (probably in disgust that we had dared to block their favourite spot!   )

Has anyone any ideas of what else we can do to get them on the perch?!

Any advice is more than appreciated!

Many thanks

[richyrich7]

Hi Tinkers welcome to the forums    another to the Leicester clan  

It's just a matter of patience, personally I think you have took the right approach block the nest box off at night leave them to settle. Then go and pick them up quietly and gently put them on the perch. I usually talk to mine as I do it seems to keep them calm.  

[poultrygeist]

Hi Tinkers and welcome.

What size is the perch ? Wonder if they are finding it uncomfortable ?

Rob

[poultrygeist]

I'll just move you across to the HenHouse. You may get more answers there.

Rob

[Jo-n-Neil]

we had to put ours up on the perch. Six of them went up most of the time the other 4 all squashed in one of teh nesting boxes but three weeks on they all get on the perch of their own accord. Perhaps it was just beginners luck on my part.  

[SMIFFY]

Hi Tinkers,  I also had problems with mine to start with, and some of them still won't use the perches. I've solved the problem by putting up a shelf at the same height as the perches, they roost on the edge of the shelf and they are as happy as Larry. Hope this helps.

[Tinkers]

Thanks for all the great advice!!

Poultrygeist - The perch is probably at least 1.5 - 2 inches thick, but like I mentioned, they have no problems underneath the picnic table where the beams are probably under an inch thick. I think they are a fussy lot   Although, as daft as it sounds, I dont think they reaslise the perch is there. Whenever we lift one up its panic stations which then disturbs the other two.......

Perseverence it is then! I will keep trying to move them while they are sleeping then and fingers crossed they will take to it!

Thanks again
Jenny