Why arnt they sitting on their perch??

[szy.cpr]

I read somewhere that at 4 weeks i should add a perch to my chicks brooder so they dont get a bent breast bone, well i did this this morning, but they r not perching on it, just jumping over it. Is this normal or not, please advise:/

 

[justusnak]

At 4 weeks....they are still youngens. It takes time for them to learn what the perch is for. Give them some time....they will figure it out. I have never heard of them getting a bent breastbone tho.

 

[cookinmom]

I agree, they'll figure it out. Don't know about the breastbone thing either, though.

 

[Cheri]

They will figure it out. Foggy loves this old wooden chair I put in the coop to talk to them but it is covered with poop so I can't sit on it.

 

[szy.cpr]

ok, thanks thats great, i think im just a bit paranoid.....

 

[MayberrySaint]

I think the bent breastbone must be an old wives tale...I didn't provide my chicks with any perches at all in the brooder and even today at 12 weeks old, only about half use the roosts. The others pile in a corner. I haven't noticed any bent breastbones...lol.

 

[oztrich]

If I put a perch in the brooder, how high off the floor does it need to be? I set one up for them last night, and they are just looking at it, jumping over or crawling under it

. It's probably 2-3" high. Maybe mine are still too young. I got them Saturday from TSC. How old are they normally when they get them in the stores?

 

[opiyfz450]

Mine are 3 weeks old today and most of them are roosting, especially at night. i cut a 2x4 longways and cut holes in each end of the brooder and slid it in. the perch is 4 inches off the top of the pine shavings.

 

[nccountrygirl]

My DH built the chicks a perch and they all love it, I think in time that they might actually fight over it. They have a natural instinct to roost.

 

[crysmom]

well i have 20 week old birds and none of them roost, for a couple weeks two of them were up there, but now they are all piled in the corner