[mickwood]

My girls seem to be settling in but they don't sleep on their perch? Instead they prefer the nest box!? Should I try and discourage this...maybe block off the nest box at night? change the perch?  :?

[kimT]

It would be better if they do perch so as you say either block off the nest boxes and put the birds onto the perch so they know what to do and you might have to do this two or three times so they get the message. You may also find if you have blocked off the boxes they will sleep on the floor :roll:

All you can do is be persistent with them Mick.

Good luck.

[mickwood]

May start blocking off the nest box tonight then.

Is there an ideal size of perch for banties? Maybe the one I have is too small? or rough? or wrong height from the floor of the coop??  :?

[Porffor]

why is it better for them to perch? sorry, new to this still and i have one chook that used to perch but doesn't anymore.

[kimT]

Around 60cm should be fine and  the perch should be  higher than the nest box.

[mickwood]

I don't know? but my thinking was that the nest box should be for laying those eggs for me!? So if they start thinking it's their bed it may complicate things in the long run??  :?

60cm...I'm OK on length but it's the width I'm not sure about....oooh missus!  :shock:

[Vember]

Some of mine perch, others sit in nest box.

The only "problem" with sitting in the nest box overnight is the poop they leave behind, but I jus pick that up every morning and every ones happy

[kimT]

Approx 35mm Mick.

Have a look here...http://www.poultry.allotment-garden.org/Poultry/Start_Keeping_Chickens/chicken_coop_check.php

The reason for them not sleeping on the floor is that they will sleep in the poo which will make a mess of the feathers and they will smell etc and it could encourage lice and mites.

Sometimes they just won't perch no matter what you try but try and get them up there................physically put them on the perch for a few nights.

Good luck.

[mickwood]

OOh....I've blocked off the nest box....added a wider perch with a bit of wood I had laying about (may be a bit too big...2x2!) and then put the girls on the perch, physically! seems....to.....be...working......  :shock:

[kimT]

Fingers crossed Mick.

[mickwood]

BRILLIANT!! went to let the girls out this morning and.....

they were sat on the perch exactly where I put them!!

Thanks for all the tips KimT!!

 

[knittywittywoo]

My two are new to me ( Sunday ) and I think they are sleeping on the floor but they seem ro be keeping it tidy. Will they decide to perch once they are more used to their new home? They are about a year old and are used to being in a big shed with about 40 others. I was also told to put a box on the floor for them to lay the eggs...they laid two yesterday on the floor.

[Vember]

My two are new to me ( Sunday ) and I think they are sleeping on the floor but they seem ro be keeping it tidy. Will they decide to perch once they are more used to their new home? They are about a year old and are used to being in a big shed with about 40 others. I was also told to put a box on the floor for them to lay the eggs...they laid two yesterday on the floor.

Hi Kww

It is best like KimT say's if you can get them to perch at night and they may need help for a couple of nights Like I said I have a couple who sit on the edge of the nest box, and I just keep the area clean

If you pop a couple of golf balls or similar where you want your hens to lay it might encourage them

V

[Roughlee Handled]

I am still amazed that the the four exbatts i received on Saturday afternoon are roosting immediately!! Not bad for birds that have never roosted ever before.

[kimT]

BRILLIANT!! went to let the girls out this morning and.....

they were sat on the perch exactly where I put them!!

Thanks for all the tips KimT!!

 

Whey hey.....................well done girls.