need to add some bits

[lynda66]

To be honest Lynda I live in a fairly rural setting with loads of woodland about and it's basically just a case of getting up off my arse and pillaging a fallen branch!(with permission of course!)

well don't be so bloody lazy then lol

[frias]

I've got 3 nest boxes for 6 hens and 2 lovely unused 2x2 rounded perches. Are my lot just dim then? Or is it that the boss says no, so none of the others use them? I found lifting them on perches every night stressful - for me and the girls. Not to mention that my husbands specs got knocked off with all the flapping and his language turned the air blue.

[Hilary B]

I've got 3 nest boxes for 6 hens and 2 lovely unused 2x2 rounded perches. Are my lot just dim then? Or is it that the boss says no, so none of the others use them? I found lifting them on perches every night stressful - for me and the girls. Not to mention that my husbands specs got knocked off with all the flapping and his language turned the air blue.

None of the hens I have lifted onto perches ever flapped about it. That would be why they fall off again! We went out by torchlight, and each hen was bodily lifted, by 2 hands (one person to lift hen, one to hold torch, not too directly on them) with the wings held to the body, then lower until feet are on perch and let go. You need just the minimum of light that will allow you to see where a hen is and where the perch is. Any more and they MAY flap.

[Noodle]

Mine used to perch, then decided that the nest box was comfier, so I clean it every morning before any laying starts!!! Mine is a wooden wine box and 2 perch on the edge of it. Is it ok to take it out over night, if I put it back in when I let them out in the morning? IT gets really pooy now with 5!

[frias]

None of the hens I have lifted onto perches ever flapped about it. That would be why they fall off again! We went out by torchlight, and each hen was bodily lifted, by 2 hands (one person to lift hen, one to hold torch, not too directly on them) with the wings held to the body, then lower until feet are on perch and let go. You need just the minimum of light that will allow you to see where a hen is and where the perch is. Any more and they MAY flap.

That's exactly what we did. As soon as we let go the flapping started. Wish you lived close Hilary then you could show me where I'm going wrong.

[Bephlam]

I attempted to sit mine on their perches tonight (maybe they are too young yet - 14 weeks?). Anyway...Hetty managed to sit beautifully, and actually cosied down like she would be happy to stay there. Euphemia was also ok, but easily spooked. However, drama queen Gwendolyn flapped like a maniac, which freaked the others out...so they all ended up falling off.

I was going to just concentrate on showing Hetty, as the others seem to copy her every move anyway. So, if she picks it up, the others should too...right?

[lynda66]

So, if she picks it up, the others should too...right?

they are chickens though lol

[frias]

Fingers crossed Belham.

[Bephlam]

Yeah, but mine are SUPER clever chickens!!!

[lynda66]

Yeah, but mine are SUPER clever chickens!!!

*rings simon cowell for the next auditions of britains chickens have talent*

[Bephlam]

Yup - they'll be on it. Showing off their super cool drinking...ramp walking...perching....eating spaghetti....oh, and moon walking!!

[lynda66]

you've sold me on it ..... i'll vote for them

[Hilary B]

That's exactly what we did. As soon as we let go the flapping started. Wish you lived close Hilary then you could show me where I'm going wrong.

You may simply have scattier chickens than I ever kept<g>

[raine]

Hi, I know this sounds really thick but how do i attach perch to walls? also how far apart do perches go?

[Hilary B]

Hi, I know this sounds really thick but how do i attach perch to walls? also how far apart do perches go?

You need about a foot length of perch per bird, so you probably only need one perch in a small house for 3 hens.
Simplest way to attach to the wall is to place a piece of wood on each (opposite) wall for the perch to rest on (and then secure it to those). If we call the side with the entrance 'north' you might attach a 'bearer' to the east wall and one on the west wall (a piece of the same 2"x2" or 2"x4" you will be using to make the perch from, about 6 to 8 inches long) and cut the perch to be tght to the walls when sitting on those bearers. (It doesn't HAVE to be 'across' the direction in from the door, but it can be tricky to attach to the wall which has a door when the house is small).