[Andt]

The shed has been erected and element tested, thanks to the high winds and rain last night. New nest boxes have been dropped off this afternoon and pophole is fitted in to the door.

What thickness timber should I use for the perches, would 2"*2" or 2"*1" be best?

Thanks

Andrew

[suziequeue]

What about some 1 - 2" branches? - go for a rustic interior look 

If you make the perches of square wood then you should round off the corners so they don't dig in.

[goosepimple]

We use branches too

[Mammyshaz]

Same here, like to think it's more naturAl to them but they  probably wouldn't mind either way as long as the edges are rounded off. 

[chrismahon]

Hi Andrew. We will be using 2" square with rounded edges. Currently use 4" x 2" with the 4" horizontal as the big hens like to rest their chest on them at night. But in a smaller coop taking off and landing room is at a premium and they do take up 2" more.

We set the height at 18" maximum but the Orpingtons find that too high and sleep on the floor, so messy bottoms. Its not the height getting up, it's the impact on their relatively small feet when they jump off they don't like. In the next coops I will set them at 12". Important they are higher than the nest boxes or they can prefer to sleep in them.

[Bert]

I will soon be extending my chicken house to accommodate a few more black rocks and I'm going to change my perches to branches (it's a home made house that came with the chickens) as at the moment they are 2" by 1" ( they perch on the 2" side) with rounded edges.The perches are also at the same height as the nest boxes. chrismahon can you please explain to me why the perches need to be higher than the nest boxes? What is the problem with them roosting in the nest box? are they more prone to leg problems or is it just to stop them crapping in there nest boxes or are they more prone to infection.? I really want to look after my chickens properly, but apparently I know nothing.  I don't want my chickens to suffer through my ignorance.

[chrismahon]

For a start Bert you hardly know nothing. Plus you've had the sense to ask the question.

Perches are set higher as birds roost instinctively at the highest place, generally (not our Orpingtons). Nest box roosting breeds mite and lice. When these get established you will know because the hens gradually won't lay in them. Then the eggs are left all over the place and the next stage is egg eating, which in the worst case could result in the destruction of your flock because it is very difficult to stop.

Put curtains in front of your nest boxes to discourage egg eating and roosting and to encourage them to always lay there. We make them from Wikos car mats slit 15mm wide to 2" from the end. All our nest boxes have them fitted and we never get roosing in the boxes, egg eating or laying anywhere else.

Black Rocks are great. Our little Annie was so friendly, used to talk to me every day when I passed. Very bright as well (except for Daphne).

[suziequeue]

I really want to look after my chickens properly, but apparently I know nothing.  I don't want my chickens to suffer through my ignorance.

I feel exactly the same way Andt.

To paraphrase Chris - the only stupid question is the one that isn't asked.

[Bert]

Thanks for that. I really like the curtains Idea