Getting my girls to Perch

ness · « **on:** April 06, 2008, 21:36 »

Hi
I have two hens that I've had from chicks with their mum. As Mother Hen has gone to pastures new I've made another concerted effort to get my girls to perch.
I have been trying for over a week to place them on the perch - they stay there but they don't seem to find their own way.
The other day I found them nestled under the perches, it almost like the can't quite get onto them.
I'm wondering whether its too dark in the house for them to see where to jump. Would it help it I left the door open? Does anyone have to do this for their hens to find their way to bed?
Thank
Ness

babe · « **Reply #1 on:** April 06, 2008, 21:39 »

i wouldnt worry, if they are happy, let them be. mine dont all perch.

richyrich7 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 06, 2008, 21:47 »

How far off the ground is the perch Ness ? mine troop up and down a ladder I made them, if the perch is too high it can lead to sore feet from jumping down etc.

ness · « **Reply #3 on:** April 07, 2008, 08:41 »

I may have to lower it - I've just checked and its about 9" and they are only bantams. What height should it be?

I'm going to persevere with the perching thing as they are so much easier to clean out

I love the thought of trooping up a ladder to the perch!

Lost in France · « **Reply #4 on:** April 07, 2008, 09:22 »

I gave up trying to get last years silkies to perch...mum never did and they just sleep on the floor as, apart from super-glue, there's no way they'll stay on the perch no matter how often I put them on! Spent ages trying...would get 6 up and then the first would jump down before the last was up! :roll:

They happily sleep on the henhouse floor...just a bit dodgy when they're under the old silkie and 3 partridges that do roost! Maybe Babe has a pattern for waterproof jackets??!

Judi

richyrich7 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 07, 2008, 21:41 »

Quote from: "ness"

I may have to lower it - I've just checked and its about 9" and they are only bantams. What height should it be?

I'm going to persevere with the perching thing as they are so much easier to clean out

I love the thought of trooping up a ladder to the perch!

9 inch ? thats low, mine are at about 3 foot !! but mine are large fowl and like I say they have a ladder I have a droppings board underneath and it really cuts down on cleaning

They do look funny when they go up and down, or use it as a place to stand and peck each other on the head as they walk by :roll:

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