Perches play a vital role in the life of chickens. In the wild, undomesticated chickens roost in trees to sleep in relative safety away from predators and damp ground. In suburban environments, domesticated backyard chickens have adapted over time to enjoy the comforts of a well-designed coop complete with nest boxes, predator protection and (hopefully), comfortable perches.
Providing well-designed perches in your chicken coop is more than just a nice touch - it’s essential for their health, comfort and happiness. So if you’re looking to set up the perfect perching environment for your chooks, here’s everything you need to know about perch dimensions, materials, placement and maintenance.
Why Perches Matter
Chickens will instinctively seek a high perch to rest on at night. Roosting helps reduce stress, improves hygiene by keeping them off the coop floor, and prevents common foot issues like litterburn and bumblefoot. Properly installed perches mimic their natural roosting behaviour and contribute to your flock’s overall well-being.
Ideal Perch Dimensions
Getting the size and shape of your perches right is key to keeping your chickens comfortable.
Width: Perch diameter should ideally measure around 4 cm with slightly rounded, or bevelled, edges. This allows chickens to rest their feet flat on a larger surface, distributing weight evenly and avoiding pressure points. Over the years, I’ve noticed that chickens will perch on almost anything but that doesn’t mean that “anything” will do. Broomsticks, for example, require chooks to tightly grip the stick and cause pressure to be applied to a narrow strip of their footpad which can be quite uncomfortable.
Height: Position perches 30 cm to 1.2 m above the ground but make sure that your chooks can access them easily without too much wing-flapping. Most chickens prefer higher perches but ensure that the height is manageable for heavier or less agile breeds like the Sussex or Silkies. Providing a ramp or ladder can help your flock access perches.
Length: Allocate 30 cm of perch space per chicken. This prevents overcrowding and allows even the largest of chicken breeds to roost comfortably without encouraging squabbles.
Spacing: If you have multiple perches, make sure that you don’t have any perch directly above the other. This is to prevent the higher chooks from “doing their business” on the poor ones perching underneath!
Best Materials for Perches
Choosing the right material for your perches ensures that they are sturdy, comfortable and safe for your chickens.
Natural Hardwood: Durable and comfortable, hardwood perches are a good choice. Ensure the wood is untreated to avoid exposing your chickens to any potentially harmful chemicals. Give any freshly cut or rough-looking wood a light sanding to smooth edges and prevent splinters.
Plastic: Can be difficult to find in the ideal 4cm diameter size but plastic perches are completely pest resistant and are easy to clean. They can be more slippery than wooden perches so any that have rougher, more textured surfaces may provide better grip.
Metal: Again, completely impervious to pests which is a good thing. However, metal perches can be a bit cold for chooks in colder months/climates or too hot for daytime use in locations that are exposed to the sun.
Tree Branches: We don’t recommend tree branches as a rule due to their varying sizes and strengths along with their susceptibility to red mites and other pests. They often have cracks, nodules and varying angles along their lengths as well which can all cause footpad issues for perching chickens.
Design and Placement Tips
Proper design, configuration and placement of perches make a world of difference in your flock’s comfort.
Configuration: I prefer a three-rung ladder-style configuration for chicken coop perches. There should be a 25 to 30 cm gap between each perch rung and the ladder should be placed at a 45-degree angle to reduce the chance of droppings falling on chickens below.
Shape: Slightly rounded or flat-topped perches are ideal. Avoid perfectly round perches as they can be more difficult for chickens to maintain a good grip.
Placement: Always position perches higher than nesting boxes to discourage chickens from sleeping where they lay as we don’t want droppings to get onto the eggs. The common mantra that I repeat often in the shop is that chickens will do up to 1/3rd of their droppings while sleeping at night! Keep at least 30 cm of headroom above the highest perch for the high roosters to fit comfortably.
Stability: Ensure perches are secure and do not wobble when chickens hop on and off them. Use good quality brackets and screws or sturdy wooden supports for a firm installation.
Accessibility: As mentioned previously, provide ramps or ladders for easier and safer access to higher perches. This reduces the risk of injuries by avoiding the need for chickens to flap excessively in getting up to the perch or landing heavily after descending.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Keeping your perches clean and pest-free is crucial for flock health. Regularly scrape off any droppings with a good manure scraper and check for damage or splinters that could harm your chickens’ feet. Sand down any rough patches and replace damaged rungs/perches promptly.
Additional Tips for Happy Chickens
Multiple Heights: Providing perches at varying heights can cater to different preferences, reduce competition and keep your chickens entertained.
Avoid Overcrowding: Adequate space ensures all your chickens can perch comfortably without excessive pushing and shoving.
Introduce Gradually: If your chickens are new to perching, they may take time to adjust. Use treats or gentle encouragement to get them used to the idea which may include physically placing them on perches at nightfall.
Final Thoughts
Creating the ideal perching setup in your coop will ensure your chickens are safe, comfortable and happy. Whether you choose wood, plastic or metal, pay attention to the dimensions, materials and placement to mimic their natural roosting instincts.
Share your personal experiences with perch designs, any challenges you’ve faced, and how your chickens have adapted.
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