The Poultry Keeper

ishtar · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Deux_Sevres

Hi
I have just been reading the forum on perching the chickens, and think I may have done it all wrong, I have used thick broom handles, in the coop one is about 2 feet from the ground the other 4 feet, when my 2 hens put in at night sometimes they use lower and sometimes the high one, I am now worried that these are to high and that the poles to round, appreciate someone getting back to me.
Thanks Jan (new keeper)

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Hi Jan

They are better being square-ish with rounded edges, not sure if being complete round is a problem

I would perhaps lower the perches as well

NannyP · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:59 pm Post subject:

They will need to have some flat areas on the round broom handles. Very Happy

mcleod-girls · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 1:31 pm Post subject:

we were advised to use old branches, but I worry about he hygeine aspect Confused

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7164 Location: isle of lewis

we use willow ,here or the trees that next door are fighting all the time ,
goats eat the leaves and then chickens get the branches to perch on ,then they are sawn up and go in our stove ,to cook dinner Very Happy

mcleod-girls · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 5:26 pm Post subject:

milkmaid, how long do the branches stay in with the chickens for? a season? a year? was thinking of changing about every 6 months, would that be often enough? :0

NannyP · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 6:39 pm Post subject:

We use branches.....I'm not aware of ahygiene issue Shocked

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7164 Location: isle of lewis

that would be fine ,are you talking about poo on the branches

mcleod-girls · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 8:26 pm Post subject:

yes, or red mite or anything living in them Confused

NannyP · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 8:29 pm Post subject:

Oh, I just pressure wash them....all seems okay so far Very Happy