Perch width, what’s the science?

[centrarchid]

Actually the reference image was of a raptor.

Raptors are more closely related to songbirds than chickens by many millions of years. Falcons are particularly close to songbirds. Songbirds = perching birds.

Chickens and their relatives split off from other bird lineages well before demise of non-avian dinosaurs.

 

[fur-mum]

I have a manufactured coop that was too small for the number of birds, but they free range so it hasn't been a problem. I had to add more roosting space though. I have several different perches of differing materials in the coop, I used what I had on hand. Some pruned limbs from my pecan tree, some leftover wood about 1.5"x1.5" and some perch on the top of the "wall" dividing the inside from the outside of the coop, at most it's 1", but probably less. All are under the roof and protected from rain, snow, and seem happy. All of the roosts are the same height so that doesn't influence the roosting choices. I have noticed that my EE and OEGB perch on the branches and wood, while my banty cochin and d'uccle perch on the wall. The EE used to perch on the wall until I added more space. They never had problems. My Orp and Frizzle sleep "inside" the coop on the perches that came with the coop. I think they struggle to get up higher more than choosing the different perches.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

Raptors are more closely related to songbirds ....

Yep... I can google stuff also

Classification of bird orders

I was really just trying to aid in the discussion by providing an image of what was being discussed, the reference image simply illustrated what Shadrach was inquiring about, and it happened to have had the blurb of text that corresponded to his question.

I think it would be something like this... note that the quote and diagram are not discussing chickens specifically

As you see I even mentioned in that post that the quote and diagram were not discussing chickens specifically...

 

[imnukensc]

Because chickens can't cover their feet to keep from getting frost bite unless they're roosting on a 2x4 flat side up except, of course, when they're roosting on a steering wheel.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

Because chickens can't cover their feet to keep from getting frost bite unless they're roosting on a 2x4 flat side up except, of course, when they're roosting on a steering wheel.

Is it safe to let that hen be asleep at the wheel?

My birds would fight over who get's to "drive" every night!

 

[deepbluesea]

Is it safe to let that hen be asleep at the wheel?

My birds would fight over who get's to "drive" every night!

Ok, that's freakin' adorable. Thanks!

 

[SunHwaKwon]

I like a size that lets the poop fall to the ground, so 2x3 for my bantams and 2x4 for the large fowl.

I have two wild bantams that sleep in the tree and they do not wrap their feet around branches.

 

[varidgerunner]

Some birds have enough instinct to cover their toes with their feathers when it is cold out, and some don't. How you deal with that is your own choice. Nurture might be better than Nature for my fowl, but the opposite may be the case for my grandchildren's fowl. I like to breed the best and eat the rest.

 

[centrarchid]

Images below of a 4+ year old roost that weighs just over 5 lbs. He is roosting on a branch of a Black Locust Tree with a 3/4" roughly 6' from tree trunk about 5' above the ground. He has been roosting in the same tree off an on for his entire life. His first summer of life his mother, father and siblings from two broods all roosted together in same tree. Number of birds at peak was about 15 birds. Regardless of age, even as 3 week old chicks, they roosted on branches with diameters less than 1" but greater than 3/8". Chicks would roost in smaller diameter branches because they could without branch failing under their weight. He is very partial to the tree at roosting time but will also roost in a Bradford Pear about 50 yards away on similar sized branches that are between 5' and 8' above the ground.

Most of time the rooster is confined in a 4' wide x 5' long x 5' tall pen with a 3/4" inch roosting stick about 3.5' above the ground. In the pen he is protected from direct sun and precipitation. During winter he gets a wind block, but otherwise his pen is open enough I can see into it from 100 yards away using a spotlight. Winter temperatures here can drop to just below -10 degrees F and are usually accompanied by a good wind. Thermal stress as measured by wind chill will match just about anything even the northern chicken keepers put their birds through. The second image shows where he is covering his shanks on down with limited fluffing of feathers. During winter on cold night you are not able to see anything of his feet or legs exposed. He periodically stands during night to stretch. HE HAS NO FROST BITE on his feet.

I have had others like him roost routinely about 30' up in Oak trees on similar sized branches. An exceptional broody rooster roosted >60' up in a Red Oak with a 3-week old chick under his wing. Again, branch diameter consistent.

Extreme weather events involving wind can dislodge the birds. Predator activity can impact characteristics of chosen roosting sites. Terrestrial predators promote roosting higher while Great-horned Owls can promote entire harems / flocks changing roosting sites almost every night. Changes usually selecting an entirely new tree that can be 100 yards from the previous nights site. Roost selection is clearly made by rooster / harem master and it is amazing how entire group follows his lead without all the discord typical of chickens in a coop or hen house. Branches serving as roosts typically in the same range of diameters. If owls harass chickens enough then chickens will go into very dense vegetation or even roost in high weeds on ground. Hens with offspring are particularly quick to abandon tree branches when owls around.

 

[Shadrach]

Interesting. A lot of what you write matches my experiences of roosting behaviour here.
I had a cockerel blown out of a tree one night. Fortunately he was unharmed, but he spent the rest of the night in a large rosemary bush.
When the Bantams were roosting in the magnolia tree we had a regular owl that would sit on the roof tiles of the main house. The Bantams returned to the coop after the owl made a unsuccessful strike A few days later the owl stopped visiting and the Bantams went up the tree again.