Perch for Young Chickens?

I'm wondering, since a bunch of my week-old chicks are perching on their food tray (it's one of those plastic foot or so long ones with holes on both sides for feeding), is it okay, or advisable, or just plain silly to buy them a perch like the kind you buy for parrots? I'm thinking a pole that's small enough for them to grasp, while not too small. That way, maybe they'll also start pooping predominantly in that area. Am I off my rocker? I am seriously just trying to think of ways to make them happier and so that they'll adjust to the roosts in the coop when the time comes. Thanks!

Eileen

I would buy or make them a perch---chickens, at least the adults, roost more flat footed than song birds...so you need to make the perches fairly wide. For chicks you might use a large branch or a 2" X 2" with the edges rounded.

I usually put a small branch in my brooder box for the chicks. They seem to like it. It starts out lying on the floor; then I raise it on bricks.

I'll give that a try. I wonder if I have to worry about what kind of wood it is? Would something from an apple or maple tree work?

Both would be fine...I don't think chickens "nibble" on wood like rabbits, but I guess I would steer clearn of cherry or oleander.

I used a wooden dowel I got at wal mart,we had a big cardboard box for a brooder and cut a hole about 4 inches from the bottom of the box and run in threw to the other side and they loved it.I think they were a couple weeks old

I used bamboo plant stakes (larger ones) .

Last year Billy upped with one of his broken remote cars as a perch for his babies... (The remote part did not work so I cut the cord) They loved it... The wind thru thier feathers... That car is long gone..

I ended up just using a stick from the yard (a dried one) and propped it on the ridges in my brooder. So far, two of the chicks have figured it out! So smart! :)

Yesterday I bought a couple of wooden dowel rods, 2" round. They're so smooth, almost slippery. I guess the chicks will figure it out or should the rods be wrapped with something to make them less slick?

First order of chicks (19 Buff Silkie & 19 Black Silkies) will be here ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!!! Second order will be picked up on 3/15 from Meyers. I'm SOOOOOOOOOOO excited!!! Chick heaven!


Annie

Congrats, Annie! How fun! I love the silkies!

Thanks, Mevnmart! I hope the weather cooperates, the coop place is running weeks behind on deliveries.


Annie

Oh man, I'm just hoping I get our coop in order by the time they're ready to go out. We just spent the afternoon tearing down the wire wall and pulling up bad floorboards, so tomorrow, we'll hopefully get the floor back in and then we're expanding the coop out about four feet, which will be great. Our barn structure is a little iffy, which is kind of a bummer, but I think our modifications will at least make for a nice big coop. I'm going to add more nesting boxes too. Right now I'm busted! Prying up floorboards is hard work!

Eileen