roost for chicks

[graggy]

Hi, Ijust got some buff orpingtons there only5 days old but really doing good. Is it to early to put a little bar in there brooder to see if they will jump up and sit on it? If its to early what would be a good time to put it in? thanks

 

[underground chickenman]

You can put a roost in there. Make sure it is flat sided with the edges rounded over so they can stand on it flat footed with their toes curled down around the edge. Using a smooth round dowel, for instance, makes it hard for them to stay balanced. A 1"x2" board with the top edges wittled or sanded off so they are not sharp is perfect. Raise it two or three inches off the top of the litter for this age. Increase the size and height as they grow.

Mine are now 6 weeks old and they all roost at night like grownup chickens.

UGCM

 

[fastpat]

Quote:
I put a roosting bar, in the form of a tulip poplar branch, in the brooder at about day 8 or 9. The branch was about 1 inch in diameter tapering to about 1/2 inch or so. Initially, the chicks did have balance problems and a hard time gripping the branch. They don't any longer and I feel that they need the challenge and strengthening provided by working up to roosting on the branch quite a bit. Now, they stand on one foot while they stretch the other leg and wing, it's pretty funny to watch that.