I have five hens and a roo who are almost four months old (not laying yet) and at night they seem to take 'forever' to settle down because of this game of 'one under the other.' They try to create a huge pile of chicken. One slides under another one, then the next one slides under those two and then...
What kind of chickens do you have, sometimes the giant meat birds don't want to perch. What kind of perches do you have. My birds are about the same age as yours, I have 8 hens and 1 rooster in a coop and fenced run and 3 roosters (that drive me crazy) who are free range and no coop. The birds in the coop perch on a 2x4. A great idea I got from CJR. They used to all pile up on the floor when they were younger but they love the perch and all sleep in a row. The 2x4 is installed so the 2in. edge is facing up, it is this narrow edge they stand on, seems to fit their feet well. DON'T use treated lumber! The roosters that are out, sleep in trees, they seem to prefer branches that are about 2 inches thick so you could use that also.
After reading the posts of CJR, I gathered that chickens aren't like wild birds whose feet automatically "lock" in a curled position on the roost. She says that's why wild birds don't blow off the limbs in a big wind when their sleeping. Are you sure your supposed to put the narrow end of the 2x4 up? I thought it was the wide side up, which let them keep their feet flat. Also helps keep them from getting frost bitten that way. CJR??
2 inches is wide enough for most birds for the center part of the foot to be flat and comfortable. They can get a hold when they fly up, and they can push off when they leave the roost in the morning. While toes of large fowl may bend over, their breast feathers will cover the feet. They would be just as happy with the 4" side up. Bantams can have a 2" roost, will make a 4" board poopy. Main thing is that they don't have to hang on, which they would, if on a round roost. Don't we just try to make our birds comfy?? CJR
Hey CJR, I went ahead and got a flatter board for my bantams about 2 months ago, about 3 inches by half inch. They get the board a little poopy but most of it does go off. They do seem to like it. Do like 'em to be comfy too, I worry about them when it's cold. Never had bantams before, but they all have very feathered feet, so I guess they'll be okay.
I have a 2X2 for a roosting pole and they still pile up in a corner at night. They seem to prefer a flat place to roost all piled up on top of one another. Hmmmmm....
well, you get the picture.
It this natural...for them to pile up like that to sleep? I always get this picture of them all nice and neatly tucked away in their separate little nooks. But not my crew!
By Gallina on Wednesday, August 15, 2001 - 06:11 am:
By HannahH on Wednesday, August 15, 2001 - 06:31 pm:
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