Hi all. We have some chickens that we trained to perch as chicks by lifting them onto the perches until they did it themselves, but they have now stopped. they tend to just squat under the other chickens whether I have just cleaned the house out or not. There is plenty of space on the perches,and I haven't noticed any bullying by the ones that DO perch so I just don't understand why the change. Does anyone have any tips on how to get them perching again? Thanks, Karen
Don't worry Karen ,some of my chooks have done the same for no reason.I also used to teach them how to perch but have not done that for a long time and they do perch themselves. The only thing I would advise is to check their feet as if they have any problems they will not perch. If they are ok just leave them ,they will sort themselves out . Mama
Hi Karen and Mama,
I have some elderly hens and they no longer perch. I think they like the straw to sit on as it's ok on their elderly legs. They also see the ducks sitting on the straw as well and must think what's good enough for the ducks is good enough for them, you know what hens are like they don't like to think anyone is doing something there aren't!!!
Have you checked the perches for mites - maybe they have come off for that reason, although the others would have done as well, so probably not! Worth a check. A peppery looking powder under the perches signifies red mites.
Hope they are ok.
Hope you are both having a good weekend.
Best Wishes
sara @ farmingfriends
Hi Mama and Sara
The hens are under 12 months old so it isn't age. There was no evidence of mites but I will have another look. We put paper under the perches as they are a separate area to the nesting boxes so it probably isn't that comfy for them and I am worried about them sitting in poo! Maybe it is due to the weather (I'm not saying they are being blown off the perches by the wind by the way).
The fact that mama has had a similar problem that corrected itself is reassuring though! fingers crossed
Karen x
When I look in sometimes all of mine are on their perches and other times some are on the floor? Strange, think it just depends on how they fancy sleeping. I let mine carry on with whatever they feel like, they seem happy enough, if there is enough space and the perches are the correct size then you cant do any more. xx
Karen, It must be catching, I now have a chook who had decided to sleep on the floor. Her sisters are still perching. She has always slept at the far end of the perch and is the smallest so maybe a bit of bullying has been going on . She is two years old and seems ok so will let you know what happens . Mama
Hi Mama
Sorry i tempted fate... hope your little one isn't being bullied.
I gave the chickens and hens a good clear out today and will try not to worry about them not going on perches. Just need to keep checking that the younger chickens (that we hatched in October) aren't in the nesting boxes, as they keep going and perching on the sides of them with of course, their bums facing onto the straw!
Oh it's never ending isn't it!!
Karen x
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