PinkToothbrush Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Not as scary as the title perhaps suggests - my hens seem perfectly happy, but they insist on sitting plonked on the floor of their run every so often. Is this ok for them when the ground's so cold? Would they be happier if we put something low in there for them to perch on, as they have in the coop? They're on grass with a bit of Hemcore raked over. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Yep....they have little power naps and rests during the day. Nothing to worry about at all. Extra perches are always appreciated though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkToothbrush Posted March 24, 2008 Author Share Posted March 24, 2008 That's reassuring - thanks! Felt a bit of a lemon posting that but I'm a total novice and just wanted to check they're comfy and happy and not trying to tell me anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Don't feel awkward about asking! We were all beginners once and glad of advice/reassurance from more experienced chicken keepers. Ask away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane 20 Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Thanks from me too I had noticed mine doing this the other day. Hopefully they will be able to make use of the perches when eventually they get into their new run..if it ever stops raining Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 I have an old wooden chair I put in the run for my use - I haven't sat on it yet, but my chooks love to take their naps there, esp after 'treat time', they huddle up on it 3 at a time like a group of old ladies having a snooze ! very cute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirkwood Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 yes good question mine do that and i think they are poorly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 I think as long as they don't look all hunched up, they're fine. If you've got a proper poorly hen, it's very obvious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 The perching bars in my hen house are very low, so I fixed an extra one in a bit higher up...... Ive also put some in the coop.......... but they just dont seem interested. They spend a lot of time sitting on the top of the hen house, so they can get themselves off the ground and seem to like being higher up. So whats wrong with their perches? What height should they be? Are they best in the middle of the coop? Or at angles across the corner? Or should I just accept that some hens dont like perching? I've only had them about 3 weeks so excuse the daft questions. (They also sleep huddled up in the nest box instead of perching, but Ive read all the threads about that so I know thats not a problem.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 How old are your chooks? If your hens are still young they may not want to perch as it can distort the breastbone, although I don't know up to what age this applies. Mine sometimes perch during the day but all of them (one is nearly 2 years old) still sleep on the floor of their house or in the nestboxes rather than perch, but as long as they're happy and comfortable and have the choice then I'm not going to worry. It's strange though because when they are out at dusk, just before bedtime, some of them look like they are trying to find somewhere high to sleep. Sylvie, my silver nick, always eyes up my shoulder as a suitable place to go to bed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Hi. Mine are still young. Only one of them has started laying, and that was only just over a week ago. I didnt know it could be bad for them. I guess youre right, they will choose whats right for them. Ahhhh, how cute. Dont you get tempted to see if she will roost on your shoulder??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 She doesn't always stop at the eyeing up stage! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...