Although hens roost relatively flat footed, they do like to be able to curl their toes around the edge of the perch at the front and back. Studies have shown that square perches better distribute weight on the keel bone in comparison with round perches. If choosing a square or rectangular perch, it is good to round the edges slightly.
Although easier to clean, metal and plastic perches contribute to bumblefoot and keel bone issues. In commercial industries, they have trialled perches with a soft covering that reduces foot pad and keel bone pressure , such as rubber or foam.
However, although this covering reduces pressure it does not reduce either bumblefoot or keel bone damage when compared with a hardwood perch. Because chickens all have slightly different feet, it is good practice to provide a range of perch widths. This is particularly important in mixed-breed flocks, flocks of mixed ages and where roosters are kept alongside chickens. A range of perch diameters and shapes at the same height is ideal, and may be achieved with natural wood perches, such as tree branches, or a range of bought wood.
The best roost for chickens Posted by: Rachael - Dine a chook Australia. Jun 07, Where do chickens sleep? Why broomsticks are not a good roost for chickens Broomsticks, dowels and other round roosts are not recommended for chickens. Here are the reasons why broomsticks do not make good roosts for chickens: 1.
They are too slippery The harder chickens have to grip the perch, the more likely they are to suffer from foot issues. They are too thin Roosting chickens actually rest more on their keel bone than on their feet. They are too round Unlike parrots, chickens have relatively flat feet. They are too uniform Every chicken is different so a range of perch sizes is needed.
Metal is not a good choice. Chickens will even be happy with a platform to roost on, rather than a perch, as long as it is the highest spot available. Kristine Lofgren specializes in interior design, Web design, photography and gardening.
She owns an interior design business in Salt Lake City. By using the site, you agree to the uses of cookies and other technology as outlined in our Policy, and to our Terms of Use. The Best Place for a Chicken Coop. What Do Wild Chickens Eat? How to Make a Chicken Run. During the day, hens that are lower in the pecking order use the perches to escape pecking from more dominant hens.
This ability to escape reduces the incidences of injury to the head and neck caused by aggressive pecking and cannibalism caused by severe feather pecking. At night, when all the hens perch, the more dominant hens take the higher perches. Perches can play a role in manure management as well.
Perches allow birds to stay off the floor, particularly during the night. Consequently, manure tends to accumulate under the roost area, and the rest of the bedding material in the house stays cleaner. The use of perches also can affect egg laying. A higher level of floor eggs has been reported for flocks without access to perches. This year I was down to 6 hens and decided to add 3 more to the flock. That impulsive decision increased my flock size to 10 birds. I have 2 roosting bars — one is 43 inches — another one is 33 inches.
At 8 inches space per bird, that allows for about 9 hens without any wiggle room. I do have one chicken that for some odd reason has never used a roosting bar she nests on the floor of the coop.
I recently combined the two flocks young pullets — mature hens and the quarters are pretty snug. Take my advice — before you increase your flock size — consider how many birds your setup can accommodate safely and comfortably. Share your tips and suggestions concerning roosting bars in a comment below.
Share your photos on our Community Chickens Facebook page! Cancel Comment. I am building my nesting boxes, 2 rows of 4 nests, stacked. My hens only three so far, roost on top of the coop. I live in a very warm climate year round.
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