help, design flaw, what now??

[lynda66]

i have noticed a bit of a flaw in the perch design, the chooks can easily jump the height of the platform but with 2 perches in, they can't get on them so i've had to take one out ...... cos i just went in and they were snuggled in the straw, and i'm mean and want em to sleep on the perches so the splat tray catches the night time splats, which hopefully will keep the bedding clean longer.

so do i put a ladder to the perches?? will that work? they are about 4 foot up one perch is ok for now, but it won't be with more chooks or when they get bigger ..... so if i put it to the perch, what's the best way to make them a ladder??

[Snadger]

I have two perches , one at 2 foot and one at 4 foot. They are staggered though (not directly below each other to stop one lot pooping on tuther lots head!)

It would be a simple matter for you to do the same? Mine tend to hop up onto the bottom rung and from there to the higher one!

[FionaH]

No idea about perches Lynda but they have got huge!

[lynda66]

yeah i guess that would work, the perches are removable to make it easier to clean out they are used to their perch being 6 inches off the ground i think that's what's caught them out, well they are still up on the perch, they are normally much livelier in the house, this time of night.... hope that's not cos they can't get down lol will see what they do in the morning i think, might turn the light off soon and check on them later ....... the splat shelf works, though i think i might put that higher too, cos it definitely splats

[lynda66]

No idea about perches Lynda but they have got huge!

that's cos they have eaten me out of house and home for the last 10 weeks lol .... the boys have grown massive in just a few days though, they are loads heavier than last week

[HayleyB]

Umm it does look a bit high, I'm afraid of heights and if I was a chook I have two perches at the same height of around 6 inches from the base. I'm not clever so I can't come up with an idea apart from a ladder.

[lynda66]

i've decided to move it down, it was only there cos that was easiest so i reckon about 6 inches off the shelf, and one in front of the shelf a bit lower down.

[Nicos]

One perch is plenty long enough- You don't really need a second.
They'll move to the side the window isn't as that'll be the more 'secure' side as far as they are concerned...dominant chook down the pecking order!

I have a small amount of shavings on top of my shelf..that makes it very easy to scrape of the droppings.

I have a ladder- which is only now being used by the baby...it just used to get pooed on by the adults and was just something else to have to scrub clean.

They certainly have grown ...can you name them for us please??.is that Pingu far left???

[lynda66]

actually someone sat next to the window all night, theres poop on my tea shelf the only reason for the second one is so they can hop on that to get to the taller one ........ i put shavings on mine too after the first couple of splats splatted up the wall ....yuck

and yup, pingu neva elvira phoenix coco and buttercup down below, just charging batteries so will get some more pics today

[dozey1]

Lynda what lovey chooks...

[lynda66]

thank you .... theres more piccies here Pictures by lyndachicks - Photobucket