The perch experiment

[booth2010]

Since you are doing the work I can come up with all kinds of variations.

Following along

 

[aart]

Thanks for article update!

 

[Shadrach]

I've got say True Patriot, I do like your coop.

 

[yoopersjd]

I believe in K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) no harm ment here. But a bird will roost on any surface it can fit it's fat keester. I got old metal "L" shelf brackets up in one of my runs, they perch on them. Also got old branches tied together anchored in the the run corner, some branches as small as a 1/2 in diameter, they perch on them. Other runs I got a 4 foor long 2x2 rounded edges they don't perch on because it moves, it is literally a swing suspended on chain and eye bolts like you see advertised here. The birds don't like it. I also have Natural mountain juniper trunks from 4" down to 2 inch in diameter in coops and runs, they perch on them as well. Don't matter the surface, they will perch on it, roost one it if they feel safe.

 

[True Patriot]

I've got say True Patriot, I do like your coop.

Thank you.

 

[True Patriot]

I believe in K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) no harm ment here. But a bird will roost on any surface it can fit it's fat keester. I got old metal "L" shelf brackets up in one of my runs, they perch on them. Also got old branches tied together anchored in the the run corner, some branches as small as a 1/2 in diameter, they perch on them. Other runs I got a 4 foor long 2x2 rounded edges they don't perch on because it moves, it is literally a swing suspended on chain and eye bolts like you see advertised here. The birds don't like it. I also have Natural mountain juniper trunks from 4" down to 2 inch in diameter in coops and runs, they perch on them as well. Don't matter the surface, they will perch on it, roost one it if they feel safe.

No offense taken, I also believe in KISS. This is just a fun experiment. I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel or make some incredible discovery in chicken psychology. They will roost on just about anything. I have one that actually seems to enjoy the thin wire top of a welded wire fence. I also have several that like that swing in the run. My goal is to see if there's anything they seem to prefer. What mine like may be completely different from others.

 

[True Patriot]

Are you planning on simply swapping the locations of the flat and on edge as part of your experiment.

Are you considering totally removing the one where they are now sleeping so they have to choose another location?

Since you are doing the work I can come up with all kinds of variations.

I knew I should have avoided requests.

I'm only planning on changing sides. The size of my coop won't support setting multiple locations. If I were to completely remove the one on the preferred side the only other choice would be the lower bar or the test material. I don't feel that this would accurately portray a "choice" in material. They have never roosted on the lower level previously.

 

[aart]

I'm only planning on changing sides.

That kinda takes care of the 'location' aspect.

 

[True Patriot]

I apologise for some late answers. I stopped receiving notifications for the thread. The results of the first test are updated in the article. Summary, the left side with the 2x4 wide side up was preferred. This week's test is the reverse of the previous. My assumption is that the location preference is higher than the material preference, or there is not a significant enough difference in the material to cause a change in behavior.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Thanks for the photos. That helps a lot to see what you are doing. Interesting way to measure results also.