Quote:
Jim actually said he's used large tree branches for roosts before. He just stressed that, whatever you use, the surface should be broad enough that toes don't curl under the roost where they wont be covered by feathers.
In fact, I made the mistake of using the term "perch," and Jim corrected me right away: "chickens don't perch, they roost." He said that chicken feet are flat because they walk and run on the ground, whereas songbirds have grasping feet so they can land gently on a slender tree branch. This is why songbirds hop when they are on the ground; their feet aren't designed for walking like a chicken's are.
Conversely, a chicken's feet aren't made for grasping the circumference of a round object the way a perching bird's are. (Didn't explain that as well as Jim did, but hopefully I made some sense)
Dang, I wish Jim lived close to me. He's my kind of mentor!
Jim actually said he's used large tree branches for roosts before. He just stressed that, whatever you use, the surface should be broad enough that toes don't curl under the roost where they wont be covered by feathers.
In fact, I made the mistake of using the term "perch," and Jim corrected me right away: "chickens don't perch, they roost." He said that chicken feet are flat because they walk and run on the ground, whereas songbirds have grasping feet so they can land gently on a slender tree branch. This is why songbirds hop when they are on the ground; their feet aren't designed for walking like a chicken's are.
Conversely, a chicken's feet aren't made for grasping the circumference of a round object the way a perching bird's are. (Didn't explain that as well as Jim did, but hopefully I made some sense)
Dang, I wish Jim lived close to me. He's my kind of mentor!