Perch Recommendations?

[KWestVA]

I'm looking for some advice on creating a perch for my three 4-week-old chicks. The setup is a little challenging because I'm using a nylon playpen for my brooder, so there aren't bars to which I could easily attach a perch.
1. What is the proper diameter of a perch for chicks? I was thinking of trying some bamboo sticks used for staking up plants, but mine are maybe 3/8" wide and looked too small for my chicks' feet.
2. How fixed should the perch be? For example, I could hang a perch from above, but it would likely swing. Is that okay or should the perch be solidly mounted and immovable?
3. Any ideas for creating a freestanding perch? My first effort using the bamboo stick to create a balance-beam style perch was a nonstarter (see photo): my daredevil head of the pack eyeballed it and gave me a look saying, "I'm a month-old chicken and even I know that's a bad idea."

 

[SunnySid3Up]

I would say for chicks who have never had a perch before if you want it to be swaying put it down a bit lower than you usually would, but if you want it higher up I would do 1 solid plank.

 

[KWestVA]

I would say for chicks who have never had a perch before if you want it to be swaying put it down a bit lower than you usually would, but if you want it higher up I would do 1 solid plank.

Thanks!!

 

[SunnySid3Up]

Personally I would honestly go collect some sticks from the woods, sand them down, and use those, cause they are likely more sturdy than bamboo sticks!

 

[KWestVA]

Personally I would honestly go collect some sticks from the woods, sand them down, and use those, cause they are likely more sturdy than bamboo sticks!

Thank you!

 

[ClickityChick123]

I'm looking for some advice on creating a perch for my three 4-week-old chicks. The setup is a little challenging because I'm using a nylon playpen for my brooder, so there aren't bars to which I could easily attach a perch.
1. What is the proper diameter of a perch for chicks? I was thinking of trying some bamboo sticks used for staking up plants, but mine are maybe 3/8" wide and looked too small for my chicks' feet.
2. How fixed should the perch be? For example, I could hang a perch from above, but it would likely swing. Is that okay or should the perch be solidly mounted and immovable?
3. Any ideas for creating a freestanding perch? My first effort using the bamboo stick to create a balance-beam style perch was a nonstarter (see photo): my daredevil head of the pack eyeballed it and gave me a look saying, "I'm a month-old chicken and even I know that's a bad idea."

I just find a piece of a tree branch, measure it to make sure it's the right size, take two wood planks (that are thick enough that they won't snap), drill holes the size of the stick, and put it in the chick brooder. They love it!

 

[nuthatched]

Find a branch that's fairly stable, though at 4 weeks, they can go out

 

[KWestVA]

I just find a piece of a tree branch, measure it to make sure it's the right size, take two wood planks (that are thick enough that they won't snap), drill holes the size of the stick, and put it in the chick brooder. They love it!

Thanks!!

 

[KWestVA]

Find a branch that's fairly stable, though at 4 weeks, they can go out

Thanks! We've had a couple of brief "field trips" outside, but so far they've seemed a little overwhelmed and just followed me around.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The bamboo is wayyy too thin. A sturdy branch or a 2x2 would be fine, screwed into scrap wood for stability. This is my "practice" roost though the name is misleading, I no longer find it necessary to give chicks practice, they roost just fine once they're given the option of using an adult roost bar.

And yes assuming you have moderate temperature the chicks are old enough to be outside. These chicks are just over 4 weeks old: