How “climby” are Orpingtons?

[K0k0shka]

Thank you.
You'll have fun with the chickens, I guarantee. What happened to your first one?

We had chickens when I was growing up. They all had names and we loved them, but they were farm chickens. One of them got sick when he was a couple months old and my sister and I took him out to care for him. We nursed him back to health but he bonded so strongly to us that he wanted nothing to do with his siblings or the older flock. So we kept him with us as a pet. He had his own room in the old part of the farm house and slept there at night, and during the day he had free reign of the human part of the yard. We hung out with him there and were inseparable all summer. He snuggled like a kitten, perched on our shoulders, played running games with us, it was glorious. But then fall rolled around and we had to go to school. He couldn’t handle the separation, got gloomy and listless and died of a broken heart... Grandma tried to incorporate him with the flock but it made him too distressed and he just gave up. I’ve lost/eaten a lot of animal friends in my life but this was the saddest story by far.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Interesting! I’ve read a lot on BYC about how heavy and clumsy orps are, and don’t like flying or getting up high... so I thought they may need a lower jungle gym... but maybe not? Would be good to hear about different people’s experiences. I don’t want to spend time building something they won’t use... Thanks for the input!

Yeah, mine both sleep on the highest roost too!

 

[CindyinSD]

I’ve had one of my Buff Orpingtons jump from the ground up onto the top my head. Surprised me! That was at about 6 months of age, though, and I don’t think they’d do that now. They’re not that heavy but they’re more sedate and matronly. I suppose if you get show quality they’d be heavier. I don’t think you need to worry too much about your jungle gym being too high for them. You can always cut it shorter or reconfigure it. Do make sure you don’t provide them with a jumping off point to fly the coop, though.

 

[sunrise.superman]

My older hens climb a 3' ladder with open rungs (they came w the coop that was designed that way), and my youngers (4 mos old) flap and fly everywhere. Not much total loft...2 feet or so, but they go a fair distance.

 

[MysteryChicken]

We had chickens when I was growing up. They all had names and we loved them, but they were farm chickens. One of them got sick when he was a couple months old and my sister and I took him out to care for him. We nursed him back to health but he bonded so strongly to us that he wanted nothing to do with his siblings or the older flock. So we kept him with us as a pet. He had his own room in the old part of the farm house and slept there at night, and during the day he had free reign of the human part of the yard. We hung out with him there and were inseparable all summer. He snuggled like a kitten, perched on our shoulders, played running games with us, it was glorious. But then fall rolled around and we had to go to school. He couldn’t handle the separation, got gloomy and listless and died of a broken heart... Grandma tried to incorporate him with the flock but it made him too distressed and he just gave up. I’ve lost/eaten a lot of animal friends in my life but this was the saddest story by far.

That's sad to here. I hope you have better luck this time with your birds.

 

[K0k0shka]

I decided to build a 3D computer model before I start, so I can visualize it better (and also because it’s fun!) Here’s what I came up with. The vertical logs are about 4 and a half feet tall. Attaching the horizontal branches to the ramp makes for a nice spiral effect, so they won’t poop on each other if they perch at different heights. And it should be pretty easy to climb.

 

[ColtHandorf]

I think that would work admirably.

 

[K0k0shka]

I think that would work admirably.

Glad to hear it, thanks.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Glad to hear it, thanks.

Would you like to see my Project Crele Orpington Cockerel?

 

[K0k0shka]

Would you like to see my Project Crele Orpington Cockerel?

Sure.