another stupid question

[Anonymous]

hi everyone is it absolutly necessary for chickens to have a roosting perch? my house is a converted rabbit hutch and dont think its tall enough....am in the process of building another one so i can have more chicks will it damage there feet or anything not to roost? thanks all

 

[Tim]

Hi Ged,

It's natural for Chickens to roost, some large breeds like Orpingtons or Jersey Giants are happy to sit on the floor at night but given a chance, many will roost on a low perch if they have the choice.

Lighter weight / flighty breeds tend to want to roost as high as they can.

And Guinea Fowl :roll: well mine seemed to prefer the garage roof half the time!

I don't think it will cause them any harm roosting on the floor but I would aim to get them enough roosting space in the long term.

 

[elmwood]

Hi Ged,

I have asked many so called "stupid" questions, no-one seems to mind! and no doubt I will continue to do so.

What birds have you got?..... From my own limited experience, (6mths now), my 3 pekins prefer to sleep on the floor in the nest box. When it gets really warm they do perch but the perches are very low and removable. In another house the flighty two, as Tim says, only ever perch- the higher the better, their perch being approx 6" off the floor and they seem happy enough.

I think if they have the option of perching they can then make their own minds up and like all us ladies we have the perogative to change our minds

 

[dawn]

Hi Ged, I've got three pekins like Sharron and they often sleep in the nest boxes or the floor of the house rather than the perch. Then again they sleep in the perch at times and also up a tree on branches. I agree the best thing is to give them a choice if you can, my perch is only a few centimetres off the ground so you won't need too much height if the chickens aren't too tall.

 

[Anonymous]

My 3 chickens do not go up into their house at night, they huddle on the woodchip outside under the nestbox. I suppose its ok in this summer but will they go up inside during the winter??
I have 2 silkies and a marsh daisy.

 

[Tim]

Do you mean outside the house?

If so - check for Red Mite as they sometimes won't go in when there are mites. If it's clear then put them in now so they can get used to where they should be sleeping, if not you'll be doing it in the cold and wet which isn't fun

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for your advice as long as their not going to come to any harm ill leave them as they are for now till i get the new house built...then they can make up their own minds....i think they are Bovans Goldlines (like Tim said) but not 100% their quite big girls but not giants lol thanks again everyone