Roosting perches

[Who922]

I was looking at the brooder thread and there were pictures with sticks, etc for roosting. When do they need or use roosting areas? Mine are just a week old.

 

[Batty about Banties]

You can put one in whenever you want. They may not "roost" on it though. They will jump on it. I have a platform in my brooder that they like to sleep on so hopefully they will get used to sleeping off the ground so easier transition to a roost. I have a group of 12 week olds that aren't even roosting yet! Good luck.

 

[hokankai]

Mine started roosting pretty early. It's not necessary but they do love to have them in there!

 

[Who922]

My light is 18 inches off the floor, so I would have to put it where it wasn't directly under the light. maybe I will try a couple of branches and see how they like them.

 

[Batty about Banties]

They will probably love them!!

 

[Katydid2011]

We simply lay down logs that are 5-6" in diameter and change them out for bigger logs as the chicks get older, until they graduate to a roost around 8-10 weeks or so. Chicks like to huddle together when they're small but they can develop balance and coordination and a habit of getting up off the ground by jumping up on logs and huddling together.

 

[mallorysinclair]

I put a thick stick in as a roost when my youngest chicks were about a week and a half old. They're 3 and a half weeks old now and all of them roost on it. and jump on it, pull at it, play with it. They like it a lot.

 

[JerseyHen]

This week several of my 3 week olds started flying onto my arms when I was in doing chores and just plopped down on my and roosted. I figured they wanted a roost in the brooder. I built one with two levels (our brooder is about 30 inches tall). They immediately started roosting. Up to this point we have just had a 2x2 in the bedding for them to sit on. The are already fighting over the best spot. Silly birds.

 

[ReadyRen]

I'm thinking of using a branch I recently cut off a tree as well. I've read that using wider roost such as a 2x4 can keep their feet warmer, good in the cold, but here in Arizona probably a bad idea. My girls are only 7 weeks or so and love to perch on my hands when I pick them up and get vocal when I put them down.

 

[Dingo]

I have a lilac branch and a little roost made of 1/4 round molding and a couple of scrape wood squares. they've hopped on both so far, but haven't officially roosted. The cochin likes to run over them.
They're about 2.5-3wks old now.