The Poultry Keeper The Independent Forum for Poultry Keepers    FAQ   Search     Register   Log in  Perching          The Poultry Keeper Forum Index -> Eggs and Growers Author Message George Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 10:12 am    Post subject: Perching At what age should chicks need a perch? Cheers George Back to top Deb_Moderator Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661 Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 2:49 pm    Post subject: I don't know the exact age, but I have read that you do not want them perching too early as it will cause their breast bones to become deformed. Back to top George Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 3:31 pm    Post subject: Ah, ok, coz they seem to like trying to perch on the edge of the nest box Back to top George Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 4:12 pm    Post subject: Back to top Deb_Moderator Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661 Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 4:16 pm    Post subject: They look so cute and attentive to you! The box edge does look wide enough to support their breasts, but maybe you could tape something soft and squishy on the edge, just incase. Back to top George Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 4:25 pm    Post subject: That isn't the box edge, I'd put in a couple of half bricks and a bit of wood because the box kept colapsing under them I'll see if I can find something squishy Back to top George Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 4:38 pm    Post subject: Back to top NannyP Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 10696 Location: 86310 Nr St Savin Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 5:16 pm    Post subject: I guess a chick's gotta do, what a chick's gotta do, and if they're doing it naturally, then it could be okay. I mean Goerge, if they were in the wild, I'm sure they'd be perching on small branches by now Back to top George Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 6:27 pm    Post subject: NannyP wrote: I guess a chick's gotta do, what a chick's gotta do, and if they're doing it naturally, then it could be okay. I mean George, if they were in the wild, I'm sure they'd be perching on small branches by now Now that's what I thought Nanny, but I read somewhere that although things like the Jungle Fowl are fairly similar to the original wild bird and does like to perch at an early age, because of the changes in feet shape etc in modern fowl then they don't grip the same In fairness they spend most of their time asleep in the box rather than on the perch, but they do seem to enjoy it on there Back to top summayah Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 7:44 pm    Post subject: a change is as good as a rest so they say. I guess it actually takes a lot out of them balancing on a piece of wood, hence sleeping in the box a lot as well Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First         The Poultry Keeper Forum Index -> Eggs and Growers All times are GMT + 1 Hour Page 1 of 1 Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group