The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Jonny on February 06, 2011, 05:42:44 pm

Title: How high should perches be?
Post by: Jonny on February 06, 2011, 05:42:44 pm

Hi

Would anyone be able to tell me how high of the ground a perch should be for a laying hen? :)

Title: Re: How high should perches be?
Post by: knightquest on February 06, 2011, 07:16:20 pm

I've got mine at an angle so that it is about six inches off the floor at one end and about nine inches at the other. I've actually got two perches but the could fit on one if need be.

Ian

Title: Re: How high should perches be?
Post by: NorthEssexsmallholding on February 06, 2011, 07:27:11 pm

it should be the highest place to roost in the hen house.

Title: Re: How high should perches be?
Post by: jacob and Georgina on February 06, 2011, 08:02:08 pm

about 1 foot high for nest boxes and 1 1/2 for perches. can always be movedd if you think they are too high!

Title: Re: How high should perches be?
Post by: daddymatty82 on February 06, 2011, 08:25:08 pm

just think how high do they roost in the wild sky is the limit so as high or as low as you like they would still perch

Title: Re: How high should perches be?
Post by: NorthEssexsmallholding on February 07, 2011, 04:30:35 pm

I'd say the higher the better, in my experience if the perch is too low and there is another place in the hen house to perch they tend to perch on that even if its not a proper perch.  I think they feel safer higher up, we used to half 2, 1 slightly lower than the other, the cock used to get the highest place and the rest each have their own regular spots.

Title: Re: How high should perches be?
Post by: manian on February 07, 2011, 04:54:00 pm

hi
perches shouldn't be higher than 2ft, they will get bumble foot if they have to jump down too far
(in the wild they have more room to 'fly down' )
Mx
 :chook: :love: :chook: