The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: egglady on May 28, 2010, 11:28:42 pm

Title: Meat birds and perching
Post by: egglady on May 28, 2010, 11:28:42 pm

we have 8 aylesbury ducks and 8 hubbard chicks - all about 8 weeks old.  to date they'be been out during the day and then come into a 12x12 stable at night.  We plan to move them into a field over the next few days and we've been given a shed which is approx 6x4 for them to sleep in.

obviously this is a lot smaller than they are used to and we're wondering if it will be big enough for them.  Does anyone know if hubbards (table birds) like to perch?  they are quite big and will no doubt get bigger so dont know if they need to perch or not - or if they are too big/heavy....

anyone know or can advise?

thanks
laura

Title: Re: Meat birds and perching
Post by: Jackie 2 on May 28, 2010, 11:59:49 pm

My cobs dont perch as they get too big, but they seem happy enough on the floor as long as the straw is clean and dry.

Title: Re: Meat birds and perching
Post by: egglady on May 29, 2010, 10:04:08 am

it was more to do with space than anything else.  I was kind of hoping that the hubbards would like to perch so that there was more room on the floor for the ducks!

Title: Re: Meat birds and perching
Post by: Jackie 2 on May 29, 2010, 10:11:00 pm

If that was the case you would perhaps need to supply the ducks with umbrellas for when the hens go to the loo.  ;D

Title: Re: Meat birds and perching
Post by: egglady on May 29, 2010, 10:35:40 pm

aye, that would be a fair point.....back to the drawing board for me..... :&> :chook:

Title: Re: Meat birds and perching
Post by: doganjo on May 29, 2010, 10:55:21 pm

You're not going to have the Hubbards for much longer anyway, Laura, are you?

Title: Re: Meat birds and perching
Post by: Jackie 2 on May 30, 2010, 08:07:25 am

You know a 6 x 4 shed has a big enough floor space for both as they huddle up together at night.
I don't know if ducks and chickens fight though?

Title: Re: Meat birds and perching
Post by: egglady on May 30, 2010, 01:51:27 pm

hi annie, no not going to have them very much longer but want them to be comfy.

jackie - they have lived together since they were born so they all huddle up together fine just now - only they have a large bedtime area so i just wasnt sure if this would be too small a space for them...will try it and see.

there's always the pig house ('converted' potato box) if we find it's too small and area - just doesnt have a door.

Title: Re: Meat birds and perching
Post by: Earlsdale Farm on May 31, 2010, 11:01:22 am

We have two hubbards  ::)
They were raised with ducks  ;D and pretty much behave like them  :&>
So, they don't like to perch!
However, one of our roosters took care of them and is showing them 'the way of the chicken'.
They started now to scratch and look for food and chasing bugs and flies. But they are still not happy to perch.
 

Title: Re: Meat birds and perching
Post by: CameronS on May 31, 2010, 04:56:46 pm

Two of my BIG ladies are to havey to perch, so they sleep on the floor, or ontop of the nest boxes where there is a flat surface

Title: Re: Meat birds and perching
Post by: exmoorlady on June 02, 2010, 02:05:08 pm

We have 11 hubbards and all the cockerels sleep on the floor and  the hens perch I gather its because they are not so heavy.

Title: Re: Meat birds and perching
Post by: egglady on June 03, 2010, 11:35:25 am

thanks folks, that's all really helpful