I realize that this is a bit of a debate and everyone is going to contend for the way they do it. There was a big discussion in anther thread so I will just paste what I posted there.
I have read in this forum that some people recommend using a flat perch for chickens for a couple reasons. 1) perching on a flat[ter] surface is better for their feet. 2) their feet stay warmer. The reality is that neither is true. Their perch should, as close as possible, mimic what they would use in the wild which would be a tree branch which, of course, is round. They should either perch on a 1 1/2 - 2" dia. dowel or, as I used, a 2x3 or 2x4 or some people actually use branches which is what I dd for my girls' day perch. But it is important to round over the square edges and set the wood so they perch on the narrow end. This enables the tendon-locking mechanism to work as designed. In fact the Journal of Horticulture and Practical Gardening says that their perch "should not be thicker than they can grasp with ease, as that would occasion them to be duck-footed". Chickens feet are not designed to perch flat.
As for warmth, when they perch their feet are well covered by their fluff and belly feathers which are extraordinarily warm. Just by way of anecdotal evidence, I went to my coop a couple weeks ago to check on my girls because it was quite cold (20s). I slid my hand up under so I could feel their feet and they were VERY warm.
Following is a little info to back up what I've said.
Tendon-Locking Mechanisms
When birds land on a branch and their legs flex, the tendons begin to lock. Flexor tendons lock automatically when the bird's knees are bent and do not unlock until the knees are unbent. The tendons then lock the toes to secure them around the branch. When birds begin to fall asleep, their instinctual tendon-locking mechanism simultaneously begins to react. As they fall deeper and deeper into sleep and can no longer hold themselves up, the tendons lock even deeper.
The bird can stay locked and in place with no effort at all and no stiffness because of the flexor tendons. They are narrow strips that extend down the leg muscles down the back of the tarsus bone and to the toes.
Why Birds Sleep Perched
Birds sleep perched as a safety method. They tend to sleep at night, perched high on a tree to avoid predators. Web-footed birds like ducks do not perch, as they don't have the tendons to lock onto trees in the same manner.
If you Google "tendon flexor chicken perch roost" you will find ample support for what I've shared here.
I have read in this forum that some people recommend using a flat perch for chickens for a couple reasons. 1) perching on a flat[ter] surface is better for their feet. 2) their feet stay warmer. The reality is that neither is true. Their perch should, as close as possible, mimic what they would use in the wild which would be a tree branch which, of course, is round. They should either perch on a 1 1/2 - 2" dia. dowel or, as I used, a 2x3 or 2x4 or some people actually use branches which is what I dd for my girls' day perch. But it is important to round over the square edges and set the wood so they perch on the narrow end. This enables the tendon-locking mechanism to work as designed. In fact the Journal of Horticulture and Practical Gardening says that their perch "should not be thicker than they can grasp with ease, as that would occasion them to be duck-footed". Chickens feet are not designed to perch flat.
As for warmth, when they perch their feet are well covered by their fluff and belly feathers which are extraordinarily warm. Just by way of anecdotal evidence, I went to my coop a couple weeks ago to check on my girls because it was quite cold (20s). I slid my hand up under so I could feel their feet and they were VERY warm.
Following is a little info to back up what I've said.
Tendon-Locking Mechanisms
When birds land on a branch and their legs flex, the tendons begin to lock. Flexor tendons lock automatically when the bird's knees are bent and do not unlock until the knees are unbent. The tendons then lock the toes to secure them around the branch. When birds begin to fall asleep, their instinctual tendon-locking mechanism simultaneously begins to react. As they fall deeper and deeper into sleep and can no longer hold themselves up, the tendons lock even deeper.
The bird can stay locked and in place with no effort at all and no stiffness because of the flexor tendons. They are narrow strips that extend down the leg muscles down the back of the tarsus bone and to the toes.
Why Birds Sleep Perched
Birds sleep perched as a safety method. They tend to sleep at night, perched high on a tree to avoid predators. Web-footed birds like ducks do not perch, as they don't have the tendons to lock onto trees in the same manner.
If you Google "tendon flexor chicken perch roost" you will find ample support for what I've shared here.
