How high do you put perches?

[carol0710]

Hi,
I am new to the world of chickens. I am building a coop and just finished the nesting boxes. I am not sure hi high off the ground the perches should be.
Any information you have will be greatly appreciated. My coop is eight feet at the peak and the nest boxes are approx 4 feet at the top of the box.2 rows stacked on top of each other.
Thanks you for help!!!
Carol

 

[Wildsky]

I don't think there is a SET height, I think mine are around 4 feet off the ground, with a kinda ladder effect going on for the smaller birds to get up there (mind you - the smaller ones fly better)

 

[Chamelle]

Wildsky, I like your big sturdy perches!

Carol, Wildsky is right: no set height. Keep in mind though, that chickens generally want to roost on the highest thing, and since you don't want them sleeping/perching in your nest boxes, make your perches higher. Something else I learned from here: don't give your pullets access to the nesting boxes until they are close to laying age (if you're raising from chicks) that way they won't get in the habit of sleeping in the boxes, they'll only use them for laying. That's the theory, anyway.

Cham

 

[55885100]

my rost is about a foot and a half off the ground but my freand has a roost 5 feet high and they reach it fine.

 

[plapczynski]

I did the same leaning type perches. They end about 4 feet from the ceiling. The smaller birds will get up in the ratters (7-8' tall) sometimes. They can scare the *&^!@#! out of you if you forget they are up there.....

Coop Perch

Run Perch