bennett Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 The chicks are just over 4 weeks old and have been on the chick convertor floor since they arrived. But they perch on the side of the cat litter tray that i put in for broody to have a dust bath, so can i now take the convertor out so they perch on the plastic bars? They are pekins so are small, however they all seem to perch fine on the tray! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 No I wouldn't keep it as it is until they are around 8-10 weeks. Apparently perching from a young age can damage their breast bone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 I agree with Tom, I dont let mine perch till after 12 weeks, its ok if they perch on the odd thing but if they sleep on the side of the nest box I would be inclined to remove them after they are asleep and move them to the floor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 Redwing and Tom are right. I don't let mine perch until they're 16 weeks as that's the advice I first received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 Oh no! I put a perch thingy in with my 5 week old polands and they love it have I done something bad here I really didn't know that it could damage them have I hurt them ? Hmmm urgh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bennett Posted August 7, 2010 Author Share Posted August 7, 2010 i shall leave the floor in then the only problem i have now though is that i have bought a 14week old poland and a 11 week old millfleur and they are going to have to go into the cube with my other girls. Although the poland was perching happily quite high in their orignal home. So the millfleu is going to have to sleep in the nesting box i guess. I may stick a bit of cardboard into the cube across some of the bars for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 7, 2010 Share Posted August 7, 2010 The older ones can sleep on the floor too, they will be fine Some of my adult hens sleep on the floor, its not bad for them as a rule Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted August 7, 2010 Share Posted August 7, 2010 My two LF cocks prefer to roost on almost ground level perches (while their wives poop on them from on high) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 Mine are 11 weeks + should really have their roosting bars by now Some sleep around the edge of the nesting box but some others still prefer the floor, so though I'd leave it until now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 My chicks had a flat floor, but kept roosting on the nesting box part, they also like to perch on the edge of their dust bath outside. I don't think I will remove all the bars, just half, as they are 10 wks now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bennett Posted August 11, 2010 Author Share Posted August 11, 2010 I have to laugh at mine own stupidness! Of course i can just take one set of bars from the coop! i have been putting a large bit of cardboard ontop of them, a new bit every single day! seriously 3 kids on summer break clearly frazzles your brain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
