Coop Confusion Part Two

[thekatbus]

Do chickens require a perch in their coop somewhere? Is it mandatory?? Their little coop was a kit that I assembled here but there were no perches included....Should I be rigging up something for them?? If so, how high off the floor? They are currently all just sort of walking around in their houses on the shavings and sit on them, as well. I want them to be happy and healthy.

 

[emma p]

They normally feel safer a little of the ground. But if the coop is too small I would not worry about it.

 

[iwiw60]

Pictures, please

 

[thekatbus]

Pictures, please

These three pics are all I have so far of them. I only have had them for 24 hours. I am going to have my husband install something for them to perch on.

 

[Peep_Show]

You could always build an elevated removable perch bar, basically a roost rod affixed on top of two pieces of wood. Even if it's 3" off the ground your birds will be happier.

 

[tracecom]

These three pics are all I have so far of them. I only have had them for 24 hours. I am going to have my husband install something for them to perch on.

One of the nice things about having a roost pole is that much of the pooping is done from the roost. You can place something like a board or pan underneath the roost pole, and most of the poop will wind up there, making cleanup easier. A short length of 2 x 4, with the wide side up is a good choice for the roost pole. It's just semantics, but "roost" is a more accurate term than "perch."

Cute coop, BTW.

 

[iwiw60]

I'm trying to find small roosts for your type coop and I've found a few for ideas:

 

[thekatbus]

One of the nice things about having a roost pole is that much of the pooping is done from the roost. You can place something like a board or pan underneath the roost pole, and most of the poop will wind up there, making cleanup easier. A short length of 2 x 4, with the wide side up is a good choice for the roost pole. It's just semantics, but "roost" is a more accurate term than "perch."

Cute coop, BTW.

My husband just came home and, unbeknownst to me, purchased 6 foot long wooden dowel rod....and cut it to fit their coop. Is that ok or should the roost be as you said, made of 2x4? I don't want them to be uncomfortable.

 

[iwiw60]

My husband just came home and, unbeknownst to me, purchased 6 foot long wooden dowel rod....and cut it to fit their coop. Is that ok or should the roost be as you said, made of 2x4? I don't want them to be uncomfortable.

It is preferred to use a 2 x 4 laying FLAT (or something equivalent). Your birds will be much more comfortable..there's room for their feet to lay flat and they can 'sit' to keep their legs/feet warmer in the winter months. Chickens are not parakeets...they don't like to "curl" their toes around the perch....

 

[thekatbus]

It is preferred to use a 2 x 4 laying FLAT (or something equivalent). Your birds will be much more comfortable..there's room for their feet to lay flat and they can 'sit' to keep their legs/feet warmer in the winter months. Chickens are not parakeets...they don't like to "curl" their toes around the perch....

okay perfect, thank you. We will correct this.