The Poultry Keeper

eejay · Joined: 07 Aug 2005 Posts: 17 Location: Cornwall

We are about to get 3 hens- 1 orpington, 1 light sussex and 1 buff susses. Husband busy designing the new henhouse. We liked the designs that are on stilts off the ground and have a ramp up to the pophole. Can Orpingtons cope with this? If not, what are the other options? I've already read on the site that they should have low perches too- but what is the approx height of an Orpington?
Thanks

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Hi eejay and welcome.

Orphs will handle a ramp that is not too steep. Just make sure it is wide enough for them.

I have heard of other's talk about only having their perches a foot or so off the ground, as orphs are heavy birds...mine get up on their perch which is about 2 1/2 feet off the ground. Just make sure your perches are higher than your nest boxes, or they will roost there instead.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

Hello eejay and welcome to the forum.
I have/had orpingtons and they had no problem with the ramp at all. I had a house on 12" legs and the ramp was about 2'6" long, with small bars up it for them to catch hold of with their feet. I had perches 12" off the floor in that house, but one of them preferred to squat on the floor for quite a while. I now have a converted shed, so virtually no ramp in that and I've only put the perch about 8" off the floor just to try to help the larger girls and also the smaller bantams.

stephen · Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 6:35 am Post subject:

Dusty, our fluffy Buff Orpington, for the first time yesterday perched when she went to bed. The bar is a good 18" off the ground, and there she was - proud as punch - perching, and pinching Danny (the top hens) spot in the hen house...

eejay · Joined: 07 Aug 2005 Posts: 17 Location: Cornwall

Thanks everyone! Very Happy

That's really helpful. I'll let you know how we get on. Just waiting for the wood order to arrive, and then we can start building the hen house!