Chicken picking at feet

[marti1066]

hi there chook lovers,

 

I was reading on the forum that a perch was made from a wicks broom handle. I have brought a broom handle but not sure what to do with it !!

 

I want to make my girls as cumfy as possible. Do I cut it down, and does it have to be raised off the ground? if so how?.

Would be so grateful if the person who posted the topic could email me.

 

Is it worth putting the wooden bars inside the run?

 

Thanks

marti

 

hetty .....

ruby ........

daisy........

 

and Numpty

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Hi Marti . I tried using a broom handle as a perch once but couldn't quite fit it through the mesh . You might have to flatten the ends somehow and feed it through from the inside (assuming you have an Omlet run!)

 

I've used branches and old shoe racks as perches in my run. Here's a photo to give you an idea. The height doesn't seem to matter much, they'll perch on anything they can hop onto to!

 

[Steve.]

I knocked this up today:

 

(click to see bigger)

 

 

My worry is that it won't work as the perch is, er, round and the won't be able to grip.

 

Am I worrying unnecessarily?

 

They didn't seem that fussed with it and use it to duck under ...

 

PS It's rather over engineered.

Edited December 14, 2008 by Guest

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Your hens might not manage it but your bats will love it . It's a very fine perch, I'm sure they'll get the hang of it!

[Steve.]

Your hens might not manage it but your bats will love it . It's a very fine perch, I'm sure they'll get the hang of it!

 

I'm worried they'll try and perch and spin round and hang like bats!

 

If so I'll have to change the top bit ... it was a labour of love I tell you - even had to get out my cabinet maker wood drills

[Janty]

It will only take one of them to try it out and poo all over it then they will all want to have a go.

 

[Steve.]

Good news everyone.

 

It works.

 

They balance very cleverly, and don't use all their toes.

 

DW saw two on there this morning.

 

What other stuff can I make them?

[chickenanne]

It looks like a great perch, like you I've always been told perfectly round things are no good for roosting as will hurt feet, but for shorter lenghts of time as aperch should be fine!

Have they a dust bath? Maybe you could make one, with something to keep the rain off?

[Steve.]

It looks like a great perch, like you I've always been told perfectly round things are no good for roosting as will hurt feet, but for shorter lenghts of time as aperch should be fine!

Have they a dust bath? Maybe you could make one, with something to keep the rain off?

 

They have a dustbath, and a full length run cover.

 

 

 

I might plane a bit off, or replace with a flat section piece of wood. And paint it

[Plum]

Why not make a ramp on a central pivot so they can see saw. Then you can make me one. Thanks

[jade&mike]

i have made a great perch from a piece of 3x2 cut to the width of the run and then i used the clips from the back of tape measures (the ones that clip it to your trousers) and screwed them to the wood and then clipped it on to the run. i had to put 2 on each end to stop it twisting when they jumped on it and it works great. it has held 5 chickens at once no problem.

[Steve.]

Why not make a ramp on a central pivot so they can see saw. Then you can make me one. Thanks

 

How about a Merry-Go-Round?

[Steve.]

i have made a great perch from a piece of 3x2 cut to the width of the run and then i used the clips from the back of tape measures (the ones that clip it to your trousers) and screwed them to the wood and then clipped it on to the run. i had to put 2 on each end to stop it twisting when they jumped on it and it works great. it has held 5 chickens at once no problem.

 

Sounds ace ... any chance of sharing a photo?

[Plum]

Why not make a ramp on a central pivot so they can see saw. Then you can make me one. Thanks

 

How about a Merry-Go-Round?

yes

[abwsco]

CLS timber is ideal for perches as it has slightly rounded off edges but not too much. Cheap as well

[jade&mike]

i do have some photos and i will try and put them up later tonight, the 3x2 i used was CLS and they love it.

[quickcluck]

did you manage to find the pics???

[chelsea]

Your hens might not manage it but your bats will love it . It's a very fine perch, I'm sure they'll get the hang of it!

 

I'm worried they'll try and perch and spin round and hang like bats!

 

 

lol, that really made me laugh!

[Plum]

Where is Steve anyway? I want to know if he's fallen off his perch or is ready for his Barbecue in February and is that run base done yet?

[quickcluck]

I know he is worryingly quiet!

[Phoebe]

ANH said

 

I've used branches and old shoe racks

 

I have two of those shoe racks in the cupboard under the stairs !! One will be out in the run by the weekend. Great idea !