Perches - What your chickens want and wish you knew

What you need to know to about a perch for your chicken house - what it should be made of, how big, how long, how high, how to attach it and where. With pictures of perching chickens day and night - it's not as peaceful in there as you might think!
For my useful hints and tips about caring for your chickens, from my research and my own experience, subscribe to my channel: Chickens in my garden - New Zealand
/ @chickensinmygarden
Catch up with me on Facebook / chickensinmygarden
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[@kimberlyd317]

Oh my goodness you have made some very important points! I truly appreciate your well spoken manner as well. Such a joy to listen to!

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you - how kind of you to say so.

[@scottsmith7419]

What a nice lady. Her chickens must never feel stressed. The more of these videos the better.

[@chickensinmygarden]

+scott smith Thank you. There are certainly some chickens who live a life much less happy and less close to what they naturally need.

[@tealeaf4451]

I agree! I could listen to her for hours.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you 🙂 This is one of my first videos and I now have over a hundred, so binge away 🙂

[@lt34102]

Especially in colder climates, perches should be 2"x4", laid on the side so that the birds can cover their entire foot with their feathers and keep them warm, preventing frostbite.

[@DanaAshlie]

I've heard many people convincingly argue with this statement so I find it interesting that it's so often said in such a matter of fact way as the OP

[@chickensinmygarden]

There certainly is a lot of misinformation that is repeated again and again until people are sure it must be true. I try always to check the truth of all statements that I make, or else say something like 'I have heard but I don't know for sure ...' Specifically on the frostbite question, our temperatures never get more than a couple of degrees below freezing and frost bitten toes are not a problem here.

[@vickyannpaintingwithoils]

@@chickensinmygarden I have Ayam Cemani Rooster/Wyandotte Hen flock, and my Cemani gets a whiteish color on comb in frigid temperatures. There are many suggestions out there to combat that. I have never done anything about it, but some call for petroleum products applies and such. I wonder what chickens did before people came up with this stuff?

[@aessidhe6304]

This is what I have read as well. I am going into my first Midwest winter with a flock of chickens so we will see how well my 2x4 perch works for my birds.

[@chris2790]

@@vickyannpaintingwithoils what temps did/do chickens live in in the wild? That's important information to know.

[@Madronaxyz]

Thank you for comprehensive and entertaining video. I'm going to create a new roost this weekend using your tips~! I only have 4 chickens now, left from 21 two-year-old chickens my neighbor gave me in about 2005. Yes, my rooster is 14 years old! The 3 hens are second generation but they are each over 10 years old and still laying 3-4 eggs per hen in the light half of the year.

[@chickensinmygarden]

That is amazing - 14 years old! They must have a wonderful life with you. Best of luck with the new roost - I hope your old chickens like the change.

[@TheDuckofDoom.]

I made several perches of different widths, all at the same height, square lumber with the edges well rounded to 1/4" radius(8mm) using a router/shaper. Most of the flock from tiny bantams to very large hens, seem to like the 1.5" [35mm] perch. My 5-toe breeds seem to like the wider 2 5" and 3.5" [60-90mm] but they are new and the previous owner clipped their wings so it may only be a matter of balance. All the perches are firmly attached for stability, but any permanent joints are well caulked and painted semi-gloss for sanitary reasons. I used 18" [450mm] spacing because with closer perches some hens like to peck at the feathers of others and with staggered heights they will fuss over who will have the highest spot. Some bantams still prefer squeezing into the ceiling rafters with only 4" [100mm] of head room, 2 meters up.

[@chickensinmygarden]

That sounds like a very scientific approach and an interesting result. I'm sure you're right about the spacing - chickens will peck a lower ranked chicken who is within reach. And the height - having the perches all one height does seem to reduce fighting over who gets to be on the highest. I thoroughly agree that trying things and watching how your chickens react is the best way to learn what works for you and for them.

[@evarojas2567]

I am glad to see your comment where you really went into an investigative experiment and tell us about your finding. I have to make another perch. I am not very experienced and everyday learning more. I live between two farms and some chickens migrated to my house because I started giving them food. Not trying to make a long story here, but now two sleep on my porch sofa and you can imagine I even had to put a big plastic cover. I really love the chickens so I am figuring how to make a ladder perch that works for them in the backyard. Having the appropriate props for them is a must.

[@TheDuckofDoom.]

@@evarojas2567 Most of my current flock doesn't seem to have as much preference. The bantams do like the wider perches but they are small enough to completely lie down on the wide perch rather than grip it with their feet and they are less likely to get bumped off by clumsy large birds.

[@krevstar]

This is a very helpful video! Much more detail about this subject than I’ve found or expected. I knew some of it already but didn’t dawn on me to make the perches removable!! So awesome!

[@rachaelb9164]

Thank you so much for including dimensions on your video. I love that they have tree branches to perch on during the day.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Rachael B You're welcome. Yes chickens like real branches under the tree canopies to conceal them from any predators from the sky.

[@vickyannpaintingwithoils]

We take our branches that come down from the trees on the far side of the property and use them in the chicken yard. They love them!

So glad I found your channel. I very much enjoy your videos and find them all informative; they are well planned and presented. It's refreshing to hear on KZbin an educated, articulate, succinct and well enunciated presenter who is also down-to-earth and 'simpática'.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Tomás Dietz Wow! Thank you so much! I love making the videos almost as much as I enjoy having chickens but I never thought so many people would be interested to watch them. I just passed 100 subscribers so I plan to make my next one something to do with 100 chickens. Thank you so much for subscribing and for your amazing comment.

[@chickensinmygarden]

+Tomás Dietz PS Do you speak Italian? (Or maybe it's Spanish.) Not many people would have feminised 'simpatica' nor included diacritics (you can see how lazy I am).

Yes, it's Spanish. I'm a flamenco dancer. 'Simpática' says it better than 'likeable'. :)

[@chickensinmygarden]

Tomás Dietz Are you dancing in any of the videos on your channel?

Yes. There's a video of excerpts of me performing a 'Taranto'.

[@ruthkjar4003]

This is what I was looking for! Thank you I needed to figure out how to make more perches. Great tips also.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thanks. That's good to hear.

[@trackerelf]

I didn't think about the nesting boxes being lower...good advice and it makes sense! Building my big roost this week so thank you!

[@chickensinmygarden]

Good timing then. A small point but it had reduce problems later. Good luck 🙂

[@heartsandmindsathome]

Hello, I'm wondering if the neem oil you used to coat the perch is the same type of product that is sold as pest control for plants. Or, if you mix your own, what would the ratio of neem oil to water be? We will be setting up our coop soon :) Thank you!

[@chickensinmygarden]

Yes that's exactly it - sold for pest control for plants. I just use it straight 🙂

[@nathanhale7444]

I used branches with the bark still on so they'd have something somewhat rough to grip onto. I didn't know about putting the nesting box lower than the perches so it looks like I'm gonna have to lower mine. That would explain why they sleep there most of the time instead of on the perch and why I'm always having to clean poop out of the box.

[@learnjcbskidsterchickensga7594]

Perches Thanks Wood Put hands around Able to rest on. Wide One ft per chicken Square end nice. Smooth to round. Coat Off ground Couple feet headroom Higher than nest box Nesting box lower Mites hide under perch. Be able to check under perch for mites More room is better Nail perch wood holder Great thoughts thx

[@susanaesmerald2291]

The roost shouldn't be round because at night they are going to sit for a longer while so they can relax sitting instead of holding up curled fingers.

[@marlenarae6830]

This video was so helpful. I am so glad I found your channel. I just finished making a removable perch for my chickens based on this video. Thank you for all the information and I really enjoy your entertaining videos!

[@chickensinmygarden]

Excellent. I'm delighted when people find the ideas useful 🙂

[@mal0561]

Your chickens are ADORABLE

[@FinznFowl82]

I've heard perches need to be round and I've heard they should be flat... also, I've given my chickens plenty of room but they always perch smushed together tight.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Yes chickens will smush together for warmth or security. But like us they prefer to have the option to choose for themselves

[@carleejohnson9632]

Love watching your videos. Chickens prefer to have a flat surface to rest as their feet don't wrap around the timber, like birds. They have a different structure. Flat timber between 7cm-10cm wide is preferable.

[@susanaesmerald2291]

I use 2x4 because i live in Canada. My chickens love it as they can sit on their feet to keep it warm.

[@normmorin8206]

So they balance on the 2” edge of the board?

[@t.johnson2966]

​@@normmorin8206The 4 inch side.

[@Averyyy]

I've always wanted a chicken, and your videos make me so happy, and more willing to get one :D

[@chickensinmygarden]

I waited a long time until we had a place where we could have chickens. I had two when I was young but my brother's dog ate them! I'm glad you enjoy my videos.

[@Averyyy]

+Chickens in my garden awe, I'm sorry for your lose, and yes, I enjoy your videos a lot! Hopefully when I move we have a place for some chickens!

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thanks!

[@Actias1974]

Please don’t get “a chicken” they need a flock. Try to get a small group. Where I live 6 is considered minimum.

[@Bart-Did-it]

Thank you for this what a sweet video to watch and listen to very informative 😊.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you very much. It's one of my earlier videos but quite popular.

[@romanastrasheim4895]

I love my chickens ... my feathery friends. 😊

[@chickenlivestream8139]

Thanks for the tips. I really appreciated hearing about putting the nest boxes lower than the perches. Chicken math has resulted in building a new coop, so I want to set it up right!

[@chickensinmygarden]

Ah that chicken math! It's all addition and multiplication. 😃

[@leovancleynenbreugel]

Love your genuine care for chickens. I just thought our two chicks might have red mites (they start to scratch themselves a lot), so I was looking for good advice. Your advice is worth a golden heart!

[@chickensinmygarden]

Leo Van Cleynenbreugel Thank you. It doesn't take much to keep them happy and I love to do it. They give me a lot of pleasure.

[@chookmin3888]

Try not to use dowel (cylinder wood), it actually hurts the chicken’s feet after a while. Try to use squared wood blocks if it is available. Dowel will cause the chickens feet to curl inward.

[@jillysgoods675]

Thank you for all the valuable information. I have a question, I have a wild rooster that has become part of the family for the past 3 years. He was recently chased out of his fav sleeping at night time tree. He now is struggling with finding a place to perch away from predators. Is there any suggestions to how we can create a spot for him? During the day he hangs in the front yard and wonders the neighbors yards as well.

[@chickensinmygarden]

That's an interesting question and I don't know the answer. It will depend on what you have to work with. Ideally you will build him a tree like his old favorite. It will be high, with smooth branches of a good diameter, several branches so he can hop from one to the next but open spaces between them, some kind of canopy or cover above and a soft landing ground below. If you have an open barn you could make a high roost in it. It depends what you have. Look around and think like a rooster. Good luck 🙂

[@shanabanna4810]

Ty 😊

[@theresmore2learn516]

What a lovely video, lovely accent, beautiful chix!!

[@chickensinmygarden]

linda silver Thank you very much

[@MrSwanley]

I discovered very early on - do not buy round dowel (1.5"/30mm") from a DIY store, the chickens absolutely hated it and would rather scrunch down on the floor. When my cheap first coop arrived it had an insubstantial round perch which the chickens disliked (half of them on floor), so I bought the thicker round dowel and made that nasty discovery that it was even worse! (all of them on floor - maybe they slide off or something!). I then went with 2x2 square stock (rough sawn timber), knocked the sharp corners off it and all of the chooks loved it. Never looked back!

[@chickensinmygarden]

Perfect! And as you discovered - the chickens will tell you what they need, if you will give them a chance and listen to them!

[@lizanderson1805]

I'm enjoying your videos very much, thanks. Hoping to get 3 or 4 ex-battery chooks very soon and your channel has some great tips :)

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you. I'm glad you find them useful. I know that 'can't wait ' feeling 😀

[@granmabern5283]

Thankyou

[@finallyfriday.]

She gets right to it. Too many vids talk about their kids, dogs, neighbors blah, blah, gossip, before telling us the stuff we tuned in for. And no overpowering music. Good vids.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you. I don't do those vlog-style videos, my style is more about sharing information and ideas that I hope will be useful to people who keep chickens (or just fascinating for people who are interested in chickens). It means that my videos are pretty timeless so do check out some of my others 🙂

[@Watchoutforsnakez]

New Zealand? I like this video. Thank you

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you

[@karengervais4273]

Thank you, great advice, your presentation was very good. I’m adopting three ex bats next weekend. A joy to watch..

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you. I appreciate your saying so.

[@mondraymondo]

Thank you! Good idea using neem oil!

[@notmyhome]

I think you have nailed it regarding the perch! Thank you! That exlains why they tend to stay off the branchy perches. And great advice about the linseed oil.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Great! You noticed what your chickens do (avoid the branchy perches). The chickens know what they like and they will teach us if we pay attention 🙂

[@louisbarningham]

Thanks for this it is very nice to see that you care so much for them!! And nice chickens!!!!

[@chickensinmygarden]

Louis Barningham Thank you. Yes I do enjoy my chickens. They are fascinating. And not many other pets give you breakfast :-)

[@cswong6102]

Chickens in my garden Pets r not food

[@cswong6102]

Good vid

[@cswong6102]

Oh, u meant d eggs.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Yes indeed I meant the eggs. I do not eat my chickens. I do not eat any chickens :-)

[@Watchoutforsnakez]

I would like to build a coop the size of yours. I hope there is a video showing it and the human door. I’m going to hire a handyman to build it.

[@chickensinmygarden]

I see you found the video about the door🙂

[@donnajohnson9324]

I wish I could show you wild chickens they jump from higher perches it's for trees

[@bearfamilyfarm4434]

What a wonderful, informative and enjoyable video, thank you for sharing!

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you. I have several videos but for some reason everyone seems to want to know about perches.

[@bearfamilyfarm4434]

I suspect that's because it seems to be a matter of much debate online ... makes for great video view numbers though and is a good way to build the channel. :-)

[@PinkieJoJo]

I love the nighttime shot. The chickens are like what the heck! Haha

[@ahmetgulpinar5728]

Thank you.Your video is so informative.

[@chickensinmygarden]

ahmet gulpinar You are very welcome. I'm glad you found it so.

[@randolphbutler1832]

Thanks for the red mite warning.🐓🐣

[@chickensinmygarden]

They are a real plague here. Our temperatures never get cold enough to kill them off.

[@marlenehill9386]

Everyone always estimates way to much length per bird on their perches. I have lost of space but find my birds all squeeze together leaving 3/4 of the perch unused.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Marlene Hill That's true they do cluster. I find mine cluster in groups of two or three and the lower ranked birds keep out of reach of the bossy ones.

[@ROSTOCKBEL]

Great video you made it very easy to understand have just bought a new shed to give my chickens more room and was worried how to install perches your way is good and easy for someone like myself who is not very diy Thankyou from the UK

[@chickensinmygarden]

+Rosemary Farrow Thanks Rosemary I'm glad you found it helpful. Good luck with the new shed. Isn't it always the way that you end up needing more room for chickens than you plan in the beginning!

[@ROSTOCKBEL]

I thought it was just me the more room i give my girls they just want more Thank you again Rosmary

[@seacruse]

Informative and sweet. What a pleasant lady.

[@chickensinmygarden]

seacruse Thank you. You are very kind. This was one of my first videos and technically rather inept but it remains one of my most popular ones.

[@Pumpd_up_kicks]

brilliant video lots of information I didn't find in other places. thanks and stay safe!

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you. Best wishes to you and your chickens.

[@TheAnimalPapaStudios]

Big 👍! Hi my friend, very informative video! I have perches in the run like you but for some reason my chickens love to roost on top of the chicken coop! Hope you have a great rest of the week my dear friend! Take care and God bless! Animal Papa and Junior! 😎🐓❤️👍🙏

[@chickensinmygarden]

Those chickens - they have their own likes and dislikes 🙂

[@hetty2974]

Thankyou.

[@chickensinmygarden]

You're welcome

[@LuluDumpling]

What a lovely lady. Videos packed with useful info & presented so wonderfully by a very likeable person who is nice to listen to. The surroundings, sights & sounds, make a marvellous background. Educational & relaxing to watch.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Wow! What a lovely comment. Thank you so much. Have a great day 😊

[@tylerstrong4669]

Lol went for 4 chickens and now I have 22 chickens, a goose, 7 ducks, AND 5 turkies was 6 but lost one that drowned in kiddie pool. I've got 4 adult poms and 4 babies poms as well as a Texas broadband copperhead😆🤦🤷

[@chickensinmygarden]

That's the way chicken math works 😉

[@trenchantsometimes5149]

Thank you for a great video. I wish there were more people with such kindness toward their chickens and other animals.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you. This is one of my earlier videos. I have lots of others - do check out any that interest you. Do you have chickens?

[@trenchantsometimes5149]

@@chickensinmygarden We used to have chickens and ducks but haven't for many years now. Thinking of having a few chickens again.

[@ApiaryManager]

My chickens are weird. They roost on an old "Little Tykes" playhouse all year round. Initially, I thought they were just too hot in the chicken house during the summer but they seem to prefer roosting in the open air no mater what the weather is. The run is covered which keeps the worst of the snow.rain off them in winter but I would have thought they'd use the chicken house in winter. The only thing they use it for is laying their eggs but that doesn't bother me. I always know where they'll be.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Chickens are funny! The main thing is they are safe and you know they are 🙂

[@ApiaryManager]

@@chickensinmygarden Tell me about it. They're worth having even without the eggs. They have such amusing personalities.

[@jenniferfalk3299]

We have lots of trees so we can use just a plain branch!

[@brianbarnard7004]

On here and other places I've seen the advice that PVC pipe is not good because it's slippery. If you go over it with some harsh sand paper it solves that problem. I also think it gives less places for bugs like red mite to hide. Plastic is easy to cover with spray. Wood can offer hiding places.

[@chickensinmygarden]

That should work 🙂 Have you tried it?

[@evelynwoolston7]

This is the perfect video for information, loads of practical facts, no dragging out the subject with unnecessary fillers only to gabble out the important part, no silly influencer shrieks or exclamations, just useful information.

[@yzettasmith4194]

I wish all YTers would do the same.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you. This was one of my earliest videos but it's still popular. If you haven't seen other videos of mine, do check them out. They vary a lot but I think there are some really good ones. Have a great day 🙂

[@chickensinmygarden]

I try to keep it real 🙂

[@o0sunsi0o]

Some of the happiest, content chickens I ever saw, thank you for sharing.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Ah yes, my chickens have a very happy life with me, and I have a happy life with them.

[@ericmraustralia1252]

I did not know that about perches, I would have just used a flat piece of wood like a shelf from a bookcase and I would have bolted it down to the coop walls. I wonder if shining a torch in the coop at night time would affect the chickens night time behaviour ? I would put a red coloured filter in front of the torch to not affect the chickens eyes and mine too and you can still see relatively clearly at night. I learnt that in the Army reading Maps at night. Thanks again for the great info.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Just shining a torch in while you look around doesn't bother them - in fact it's fun and useful to see what they are getting up to. But you don't want to have it on for a long time or it will affect their laying schedule.

[@steventhury8366]

Chickens are nice.

[@chickensinmygarden]

They sure are.

[@PrimePhilosophy]

Brilliant. This gave me some good ideas. Thank you so much!

[@chickensinmygarden]

Excellent! I'm sure yours will turn out perfect! 🙂

[@margoochoa9761]

My chickens don’t like their perch. They rather use their nesting box. It is very confortable since I made it myself. So I guess I did good since they rather be in there. They are so funny when I go to lock them up for the night and all 3 are inside snuggling.They have a coop with 2 floors and is actually very cute and clean.Very lovely 😊 video!!! 👏🏼😍

[@evarojas2567]

Wow. You made such wonderful video. I thank you so much for all your wise advices.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you 🙂 This is one of my early videos. Do check out some of my others.

[@aertgeertseliane3396]

I have a wooden perch and i do paper ductape around it bc somtimes wood gives harsh and it givess bacteria i have mites now but its going better bc we did producht on them❤❤

[@chickensinmygarden]

If you replace the paper tape occasionally you might find lots of mites hiding under the tape. You can clean them away before you replace the tape.

[@jason4547]

So your saying in the wild chickens will go in search of a bigger branch to roost on rather than the smaller branches they may choose to roost on during the day ?

[@chickensinmygarden]

I believe they head for branches where they feel safe to relax, which are likely to be higher branches

[@75blackviking]

2:30 The chickens demonstrate sitting down on their perch, as if on cue...

[@chickensinmygarden]

Such good chickens! 😉

[@AzazelHash281]

I really wonder how this woman is doing sometimes, she's a good woman.

[@chickensinmygarden]

What do you mean? I'm doing fine 🙂

[@morninglight7544]

Thank-you, liked and subscribed!

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you 🙂 Welcome. I have lots of videos - do check out the ones that interest you

[@ironicugandan5826]

All but one of my chickens reliably perch at night. I have to go in and put her on the perch. I use a big stick from a sassafras tree, it's a bug deterrent.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Goodness! What's the big stick for? Is that the perch?

[@ironicugandan5826]

@@chickensinmygarden sorry. Autocorrect. Sassafras is a BUG deterrent. And yes I use it for the perch.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Ah, thank you! Sassafras doesn't grow here so I didn't know it was a bug deterrent. What a great idea! 🙂

[@eatwhatukiii2532]

That’s a nice roomy run for the chickens. Round perches are fine for variety and even for a swing, but for roosting at night they should be sitting on something broader than that. If you live in a cold climate that has freezing temperatures it is imperative that you have perches wide enough (4” minimum, wider is better). Any part of the toes or legs that peek out from under the feathers during the night will get frost bitten. The poultry forums and chicken support groups are FULL of reports (with sadly graphic photo evidence) of chickens with frost bitten toes and sometimes the entire feet due to roosting on too-narrow perches that left their feet exposed during the night. Amputation of toes or foot is the only recourse in these situations, leaving the bird needing to learn how to adapt to walking with just a stump (sometimes both feet need to be amputated and it’s a sad thing to see people going through this with their birds. If gangrene sets in the poor animal needs to be euthanized. This is an avoidable situation if proper planning is instituted. WHAT WORKS IN WARM CLIMATES DOES NOT WORK IN SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES. Chickens are fine in cold climates, they have a nice warm feather coat and warmer body temperature than humans, but you have to be mindful of things like this. Also, do your research to find a local veterinarian who is knowledgeable about poultry health and able to do surgery, etc. on them so you’ll have someone to take your chickens to if such an emergency develops. Don’t wait until injury or illness has occurred to frantically hunt for one while your birds are in pain.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thanks for your comments. We have very mild winters here so frostbitten toes are not a problem but it's a useful warning for those who keep chickens in harsher climates 🙂

[@rebeccaharden2196]

What if you have them there but they won’t use them?????

[@chickensinmygarden]

Check out my video on how to teach your chickens to perch 🙂

[@steventhury8366]

Thanks for the video. Very good info!

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you.

[@markmooney5662]

Very useful to know ....I think I will add another perch ..... on these warm nights here in the UK they might want to spread out a bit .... Thank you for the vid and God bless. Gilly wife of Mark

[@chickensinmygarden]

It will be interesting to see how they use the new perch. Will they all spread out? Will they follow old habits and cluster on the old perch? Time will tell. Best wishes Gilly and chickens 🙂

[@bundypolkhigh]

Great video, thank you for making it

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you, and thanks for watching 🙂

[@theduckfromscratch4406]

I really want chickens but I live in the city.

[@chickensinmygarden]

I had to wait many years before I could have chickens. Don't give up the dream.

[@thenaturekid3739]

Are your chickens pets

[@chickensinmygarden]

I guess they are 🙂

[@winniecash1654]

My chickens bunch up on one side of the roosting bar even though it's 6 feet long and I have 2 bars in the coop. Then they try to get under each other so that some can't sit down. Will they eventually spread out?

[@chickensinmygarden]

Probably not unless the weather gets hot. They like to snuggle together

[@winniecash1654]

@@chickensinmygarden thanks for responding. It's actually been very hot here. I guess they need time to learn.

[@chickensinmygarden]

If they felt hot they would spread out. I guess it's cooler at night

[@ml.5377]

Greetings from Cusco, Peru. My daughter ans I love your videos. Seems we are doing a great job and our 6 chickens are thriving.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Excellent! Your chickens are always the most important judges of how you are doing. Thanks for the feedback 🙂

[@Timebanditxxx]

They will use a tree just fine to roost in. They can fly up as high as they need.

[@learningtogrowinChrist]

Thank you, very helpful!

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thanks for watching. Do check out some of my other videos. Have a great day 🙂

[@markirish7599]

Fantastic video full of great information presented by a wonderful lady .thank you and best wishes from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you. This was one of my earliest videos and is still popular. Do check out some of my others. Greetings from New Zealand, and thanks for watching 🙂

[@zeezee9188]

Chickens are delicious 😋

[@westmeathguy]

I use lengths of 3 - 4 inch dia. trees for perches and I leave the bark on. It's more natural and provides a better grip. Also I note that budgie owners like to put sandpaper like covers on their perches for the benefit of the bird's feet. Nice job on the video!

[@chickensinmygarden]

westmeathguy Thank you. Yes leaving the bark on would be more natural and provide a good grip without any splinters. But the crevices beneath the bark make a great breeding place for mites. As long as you are vigilant (or maybe don't have any exposure to wild birds) the unpeeled branch would be lovely.

[@westmeathguy]

Yes, and of course you want to pick a tree species/age with a tight bark. All the best!

[@chickensinmygarden]

westmeathguy Thank you

[@crackerrjaxx1982]

Actually the sand paper for budgies it to keep nails trimmed

[@chickensinmygarden]

Oh, thank you for that.

[@sofiah.rodriguez2517]

Thank you!. thank you ! thank you!..shall indeed proceed to apply your wisdom!..(currently building coop) ..God bless!

[@chickensinmygarden]

Good luck. I'm sure a huge amount of pleasure awaits you.

[@sinovenatorsamyt4213]

My chickens used to be batterey hens. I had a perch in the coop but they never used it. Is it because they have never seen a perch?

[@chickensinmygarden]

Probably. You can teach them to use it by starting with a low board then once they discover that being up above floor level is nice, give them higher boards with rounded edges and encourage them to use it at night. The other reason might be that they just don't have the leg muscles to balance well. Take it very slowly and let them guide you.

[@sinovenatorsamyt4213]

Chickens in my garden ok. Thank you!

[@sineadbeel1917]

Mine weren't using the perch so every night as they started sleeping I put them on the perch and after a while they started automatically sleeping there

[@chickensinmygarden]

Sinead Beel That's great. Chickens learn really quickly, don't they? We don't realise how intelligent they are.

[@tylerstrong4669]

First time watching your channel and quiet enjoyed it as well as learned some very important things I'll need to know with 22 chickens and no real experience with them other than my aunt next door having some.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you for saying so. I'm sure you'll enjoy your chickens even more than you expected

[@mrcoz1764]

I used tree branches for my roost,,Thick about 2 1/2 to 3 inches Here in Ms. we dont really cold here,,,But I have heaters set inside their coop set on timers to come on for 2 hrs,,,then off ,,,and so on

[@chickensinmygarden]

Tree branches also look very attractive and they are free 😊

[@jacquelineconquest6218]

Thank you, so much. i was wondering about the width of the perch. love you chickens!

[@chickensinmygarden]

There is a school of thought that says wider perches are better. That might be true if the temperature gets much below freezing. We are lucky here, we have a mild climate.

[@SugarBeeFarm]

Very good information. Glad I watched this prior to putting perches in the coop. Thanks

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thanks for watching and commenting 🙂

[@cosmicjungle1264]

Always the best chicken videos on all of the internet well done.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you. This was one of my earliest videos and made with very primitive equipment but still relevant 🙂

[@spaghetti5914]

Eh actually i have 2 fig trees and a lotus tree and i think a peach tree and one more i dont rememebr what kind of tree it is and yeah they sleep on them

[@chickensinmygarden]

They will do that. But it's not always a good idea. I mention a few disadvantages in my recent video about how to get your chickens to perch.

[@donnajohnson9324]

There are breeds who are from really cold climates and they are in the wild in that country I find like everything else now days we are all soft

[@chickensinmygarden]

Yes the chickens we have these days are bred for egg laying production not hardiness.

[@patcartbar]

Great info! I love chickens! They make the sweetest sounds and are so beautiful!

[@chickensinmygarden]

They do, don't they! And they are!

[@angelaberni8873]

Fabulous video. I'm subscribing 👏👏

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you. I don't release new videos very often but do check out my other ones - most of them never date. Cheers 🙂

[@tamiboelter2833]

My perch is too high.

[@chickensinmygarden]

They will probably cope but I would suggest lowering it if you can 🙂

[@georgiathomlison1244]

Love your videos ! ❤

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@3ducs]

A friend has her chickens roosting on those 2"x4" boards that many channels here promote. I look at birds in the wild, not just chickens, they roost on tree limbs and select ones that suit their foot sizes. 2x4s are readily available, I wonder if they are being selected as perches for that reason rather than what is best for the birds. Several of her chickens have problems with their feet, the toes are not spreading out when they walk, I wonder if the shape of the roosts contribute to that. It seems to me that the rounded perches you have would be the more natural shape and be more healthy for the birds. She also has a horse and thinks that the feet may have been stepped on by him, I doubt that.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Interesting. I can't quite picture the foot problem that causes the toes to be "not spreading out when they walk". I wonder if it might be a mild form of Curly Toe paralysis. The toes curl inwards rather than spreading out flat on the ground. If so, it could be caused by a mild Riboflavin (vitamin B2) deficiency, which can easily occur from feeding stale feed since the B2 vitamin degrades rapidly on storage. But that's a pretty wild guess based on your description.

[@3ducs]

@@chickensinmygarden Thank-you. The feed is fresh as far as I know, she gets a bag or two at a time. I will bring your comment to her attention. It does appear to be a paralysis type of thing.

[@chickensinmygarden]

The curled toes develop more commonly in chicks than adults. Hens with B2 deficiency are likely to have lowered egg production, so that should be a good indication of whether a deficiency is involved. But if the toes were affected as chicks, I doubt that good nutrition of the adults would uncurl them.

[@3ducs]

@@chickensinmygarden Again, thank-you. I believe the condition developed in adults. The owner of the coop is investigating. I've been enjoying spending time sitting in the coop, there is a gander that is quite a character. Over the weekend he sat on my lap for a bit.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Chickens, and presumably also geese, are so much fun to spend time with 🙂

[@FlourishingLove]

There are two wild chickens that spend the day in our yard. They have trees down the street that they roost in for the night. I noticed that the hen sleeps in the thinner branches, closer to the leaves, so she is hidden. I haven't actually seen where the rooster sleeps. I just know where his tree is, around the corner from our house. We aren't permitted to build a coop in our city, or I would. I love these two chickies! They're so friendly and such good souls.

[@chickensinmygarden]

That's lovely to have them around. Do you feed them?

[@FlourishingLove]

@@chickensinmygarden Yes, we are feeding them. The hen now jumps in my lap for treats. The rooster is a bit more shy.

[@maryjanecooper5666]

😏

[@midsouthhomestead9180]

Thanks for your video. Just got chickens here in Southwest Tn, USA.

[@chickensinmygarden]

Good luck. I hope you have a long and happy relationship with them.

[@edwardhyde737]

One of the most helpful videos I've seen. Thank you

[@chickensinmygarden]

Thank you 🙂 It's great to get good feedback