[carl]

just reading Poltrygist`s write up on diy coops and it says the perch size needs to be 2"x3" the question i have is  which needs to be at the top for the hens to stand on?? mite sound a silly question but idon`t know

[grumpydad]

perch width shoul be at least 2" wide, with the edges rounded off, no sharp edges.

easier if they are removable to help clean them, especially the ends

[carl]

thank you Grumpydad thats 1 more problem solved

[karlooben]

nip down the local garden centre an buy the poles for fruit they come in different sizes an lengths , mine are 2 inch diameter and just perfect for the girls .

[carl]

nip down the local garden centre an buy the poles for fruit they come in different sizes an lengths , mine are 2 inch diameter and just perfect for the girls .

ok Karlooben i`ll be paying a visit tomoz

[Bonniebean]

Just a suggestion, but when I got my coop it had 'foam' type pipe lagging over the perches. I changed this for the large size tubes and refitted it - the chooks love it! No pecking or chewing and they use the perches every night. Also very easy to clean.

[carl]

Just a suggestion, but when I got my coop it had 'foam' type pipe lagging over the perches. I changed this for the large size tubes and refitted it - the chooks love it! No pecking or chewing and they use the perches every night. Also very easy to clean.

and i suppose it keeps there feet warm aswell....did you glue it on Bonniebean?

[Bonniebean]

Hi Carl! No they are not glued - the actual perches are half inch marine ply cut flat and then you split the lagging down the seam provided and slot it on which makes the perch nice and fat, so when you clean you can pop it off and clean inside and out very easily.

[8doubles]

Just a suggestion, but when I got my coop it had 'foam' type pipe lagging over the perches. I changed this for the large size tubes and refitted it - the chooks love it! No pecking or chewing and they use the perches every night. Also very easy to clean.

and i suppose it keeps there feet warm aswell....did you glue it on Bonniebean?

I was told to use perches of at least 2"wide for golden pheasants to keep their feet warm, if you use a smaller diameter the toes go right beneath the perch and are not kept warm by their feathers. In extreme weather frostbite can occur.
Worth bearing in mind if anyone has outdoor roosting birds.

[Bonniebean]

The perches are 3" wide with the tubes on them!

[karlooben]

sounds like pipe lagging to me { if thats the right name for it  } u know the foam u can get to go round hot pipes in the house .

[ehs284]

That's interesting Bonniebean.  We have perches made from 3x2 which is the cheapest CLS timber. It has rounded edges. Easy to fix and clean. We have them as 2" wide and this seems OK and they've always put themselves to bed; whenever I've seen them perched on something else it has always been thinner. They'll certainly sleep on a half inch wide plywood edge. Now I wonder if the thinner section allowed a better curve for the feet suggesting that the rounder section of foam would be more comfortable than a flat surface. Got to try it!

[Bonniebean]

Let me know how you get on!

[ehs284]

You won't get me on one of those things!

[ehs284]

Be quiet; don't you know there are chooks trying to sleep here.