In this video, I build a chicken run perch and swings for my chickens. Check out our Amazon store and help support our channel for free www.amazon.com/shop/peteb
What a beautiful coop! Lucky chickens! I was told to use 2 x 4s instead of 2x2 because they don't wrap their feet around a perch like other birds do. They prefer keeping their feet flat. I think swings are adorable. I don't know but I was with those that chickens don't like the movement of a swing like other birds do. With birds like budgies or canaries, they like the movement of a swing because it can mimic a tree branch in the wind. But chickens are mostly ground dwelling so they don't like the movement. But I do see people on you tube with chickens sitting in swings! So I guess it depends on the individual. I'm getting chickens in the spring and I love the idea of a chicken swing.
Hang OLD USED CDs on string. They absolutely love pecking them and running from them when they spin and swing. The sun glinting off of the CDs fascinates them...
I only have 4 chickens, but I enjoy chickens so much. My chickens are not for eating....I have them for enjoyment only! I enjoy getting to know an animal, such as, the way chickens are there "checking out" everything I do (as I see, yours do the same thing). The way you built the roost gives me good ideas, thanks!
chickens love small running ponds, and you should try one during summer months something deep enough to soak their legs and keeps their feet clean as well to fight diseases, I used to do that during my childhood until my parents send them all to slaughter and barbecue party whilst I was away on a trip!
I'm still perch experimenting myself. I make my perches a minimum of 5-inches apart to avoid dirty-droplets & a maximum of 8-inches apart b/c that's about as far as my hens can comfortably step without flailing. A max jump hight of 18 inches seems to have reduced toe & foot injuries as well, though I may need better ramps. I find the best cure for boredom is scratch thrown in litter deep enough to have the hens leaning downward to dig. Hanging Apple-cider-vinegar-water might be the cheapest hen lure for those perches.
My yard has perches, NO SWINGS, found they don't really LIKE them, they like other elements, dust bath, perch trees,(its an upright with staggering outcroppings) , odd things in the yard that get moved around to make it new and interesting with same things just different locations...they have a grazing area thats a 2x4 frame with wheat/rye grass planted in it with wire over so they can't pull up the plant just graze off the top...ur perch is way more than I'd ever put up...think its over kill maybe a perch ladder type would have been better??? but thats a personal choice, to each their own...you know ur birds...so hope they enjoy
Nice job ... The chickens will figure it out soon enough ... I found the roosters used the outdoor perches the most ... I like the hanging cabbage, lettuce, or scraps hanging from the top of the cage. There are some you can buy or you can make your own. Gives them some else to keep their interest. Also turning the dirt inside the cage. You have very good content and really enjoy how you explain things ... it may be slow or to much info for some but you can’t please everyone. Look forward to your videos.
Iam going to use branches I found at the lake when it was just my dog and me. The hinges are awesome. My first idea was a ladder but with hinges it just moves one step and out of the way most excellent
Nice setup Pete. Overbuilt, means you can use your time on another project verse coming back to repair the first one. Love the channel, keep up the great work. Robin.
I use to raise chickens and they normally don't need a perch outside if you have a house for them to go in at night. Since they are already doing that they may not use it unless it gets very hot and they decide to come out and use it to stay cooler.
My coop is temporary, and I needed a perch where I could change the height as the birds grew I used closet Rails and attached a wood pole. I can raise/lower it as needed.
I didn't catch what your chickens said, very impressed with your ability. Is it 2 years since you made that run? Love all your video's alway give them a like prior to watching. Thanks for all your time and video's.
I've been educating myself on coops before I build my own. The wood going up on your perch must have little wood pieces so they won't slide off, just as your mill worms did. Don't think they'll fly up there on their own. You have to show them. Possibly sit one on it? Also I think they little feet get messed up, bumble foot on 2 x 4s which is why most use 1 1/2 round dowel type perch poles, some even use small rope wrapped around the pole, seen that on CarolinaCoops. Take care. Can't wait to get some of my own! ttyl
I would have lifted one of the chickens up and let her sit in the perch. But then I have ISA Browns that are very friendly and don't mind being picked up.
Just a thought, im in the tropics, its summer all year long, I was thinking about using metal pipe wrapped with cord, carolina coops is doing this with wood, I personally believe the texture of wrapped pipe would be the same.
The second you go indoors those chickens will be all over those perches....😅😁 You've made such a great job of this, although I really wanted to jump in and help when you were struggling with trying to hold it and screw it up!! Not enough hands!!
how bout a section of sash chain you could wrap around end of perch to hold it up while cleaning. currently making a coup myself. yours looks real good
I loved my chickens. But haven't had any since 2008. I was off work for a couple of months due to a back injury. I had 52 chickens. Some layers, some duel purpose and some just because I love the breed. They were shut in every night because of the foxes, raccoons and opossums. I'd let them out in the morning. I took my son to school one morning and came home to find a female coyote and her pups killing my chickens. They just killed them and went on to the next one. When I got out of the car, they all ran off. I had dead chickens everywhere. I had 2 chickens left. One little banty hen who was sitting on eggs in my broody cage. And one smart old Americana hen who had flown up into a tree. I'm retired now. Was a veterinary technician for 33 yrs. Every animal I have ever owned has been important to me. Loving animals is in my DNA. It broke my heart seeing my chickens dead all over. And I wasn't physically able to keep chickens safe anymore. So I just don't have them. But I sure miss them. And I enjoy watching you take care of yours.
My girls only take to their roost really early in the morning when due is still on the ground ! Other than that youd'e think they never used it ! But early in the am there they all every last one of them !
They don't need a platform to get to the lower bar. I've got hens that will fly up to a 4' high pony wall to get treats. 2' is only a hop with 1 flap for a full grown large fowl.
So please update on this re the hens acceptability of the changes. I love seeing things about your chickens. Particularly interested in how you can improve on the compost side of the coop. I feel there could be made more use of wood chips or straw or hay. It doesn't look deep enough layered to hold any moisture in as the soil is too compacted. The chickens should do the composting for you.
Thank you, I'll be taking the first 4 to 5 inches of the chicken run soil and adding/amending it to my garden and greenhouse beds. Then adding wood chips back to the chicken run and start all over.
@@petebeasttexashomesteading Better choose a cooler day or in the cool of the day to do this. Think of your health. The ground is practically rock hard - probably from that time when it was so wet. Be generous with your wood chips or straw or hay. The chikens will make light work of it. Don't forget to add to it frequently.
A roof is a must for protection from the the rain! With no roof, they also feel more vulnerable to ariel preditators! I would also put some greenery above, can be just green branches stuck in the fence. Will make it cozier for them!
I'm a prescriber of your site and I live in SE Texas. 90 miles outside of Houston. If you could be so kind as to answer this one question. I'm building I hoop house with cattle panels covered by chicken wire. I intend on building them a house out of plywood with some nesting boxes in their house but I don't have enough wood to build a shed large enough to build them a roosting area. If I have my hoop house enclosed with a tarp, will the chickens roost in the cattle panel hoop if I build something like you have done in this video, or will they all try and stuff themselves in the nesting area? I don't want them crapping in their nesting boxes. I hope I made my question clear so you can give me an answer. BTW, I have 5 sheets of plywood to make their nesting area but I don't think I can make them a pearch to accommodate 15 chickens in the nesting area. Thank you.
I know you said these were perches. What is the difference in perch vs roost bar? Everything I've read says 2.25-3" width for health and comfort of their feet. Won't these be too narrow??
Roosting bars are for the chickens to sleep all night. A perch is for them to sit on for a short time. You want roosting bars to be either large round diameter maybe 2 to 3 inches or flat like the flat side of a 2"x 4". But the narrow side of the 2"x 4" is fine for a perch.
I have Rhode Island reds and Blue Andalusian but I don't recommend the blue Andalusian because they are not good egg layers and the rooster is too aggressive.
Aren’t you concerned that allowing them to get used to perching and roosting outside the coop might encourage them to stay outside instead inside where it’s safe(er)?
You built it wrong that’s why they don’t use it. The pivot point needs to be at or above their center mass. To raise the pivot point You you need 2 side boards going up and that’s where you attach the chains or ropes. That way they can balance themselves. My chickens love it and don’t have a hard time staying on.
You need more greenery in there! Preferably small bushes, climbers and grasses, that they can nibble on. Put rocks onto the roots of the plants, so the chickens can't unearth it. Big pots also make it more interesting for them. Rhubarb, mint, rosemarie, a pot of parsley, they will love eating them and hiding under the foliage of smallish bushes. Now it is even more interesting for your chickens!4 Grow stuff, that they can eat also from the outside of the coop. Like maybe grapes. They grow fast, give food, shade and sun in the winter. For colour some pansies, which they can eat, but the outside ones they can't. Turn the run into an oases. Visualy also for people more interesting. Watch this austrian chicken owner. It is in german, but you will see what I mean, ua-cam.com/video/MPIrrQUq5ds/v-deo.html
Love this! this would be my husband's overbuild! Beautiful will last forever!
Pete, I thought maybe use was gonna jump up on the perches and demonstrate how it works to the chicks😂 Great job with the build👍
😂👍
What a beautiful coop! Lucky chickens! I was told to use 2 x 4s instead of 2x2 because they don't wrap their feet around a perch like other birds do. They prefer keeping their feet flat. I think swings are adorable. I don't know but I was with those that chickens don't like the movement of a swing like other birds do. With birds like budgies or canaries, they like the movement of a swing because it can mimic a tree branch in the wind. But chickens are mostly ground dwelling so they don't like the movement. But I do see people on you tube with chickens sitting in swings! So I guess it depends on the individual. I'm getting chickens in the spring and I love the idea of a chicken swing.
Hang OLD USED CDs on string. They absolutely love pecking them and running from them when they spin and swing. The sun glinting off of the CDs fascinates them...
I only have 4 chickens, but I enjoy chickens so much. My chickens are not for eating....I have them for enjoyment only! I enjoy getting to know an animal, such as, the way chickens are there "checking out" everything I do (as I see, yours do the same thing). The way you built the roost gives me good ideas, thanks!
I agree 100% my chicks especially one in particular check out what Iam doing. I love them.
You did a very good job
chickens love small running ponds, and you should try one during summer months something deep enough to soak their legs and keeps their feet clean as well to fight diseases, I used to do that during my childhood until my parents send them all to slaughter and barbecue party whilst I was away on a trip!
👍🙂
It is sad they were being slaughtered behind you.
@@mirzashahzaibmumtazbeg306 🙀 mirzas story started longer
Good idea good design, chickens usually perch when they are ready to sleep
Thanks, they perch on them through out the day and enjoy the view 🙂
Fantastic idea! Can't wait to add this to my coop. I have a hoop coop. So gonna have to figure out how to attach it to hog panel. Thanks
Love that perch. Thanks for the great idea.
" I'm afraid! I'm afraid!" Loved the mock... gave me a good laugh cause that's what I do. 🤣
I'm still perch experimenting myself. I make my perches a minimum of 5-inches apart to avoid dirty-droplets & a maximum of 8-inches apart b/c that's about as far as my hens can comfortably step without flailing. A max jump hight of 18 inches seems to have reduced toe & foot injuries as well, though I may need better ramps. I find the best cure for boredom is scratch thrown in litter deep enough to have the hens leaning downward to dig. Hanging Apple-cider-vinegar-water might be the cheapest hen lure for those perches.
Thanks for the info 👍
Hi Pete. Do all you can do to keep the girls & guy happy. I appreciate you being good to these animals!
Thank you 👍
Great job Pete!♡♡♡
I love this idea... I will make this for my chickens
Great job, Pete.
Awesome thanks just what I was looking for! God bless you
Nice job Pete, I was concerned for you and everyone in East TX when Hurricane Laura came to visit I hope your new greenhouse is OK.
Thank you. we just got the outer edge of Laura and got gusty winds now and then.
Great planning and idea. Love it
Thanks so much!
Brilliant video. Really enjoyed it. Thanks.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it
Very creative, hope the enjoy there new renovations. Could easily be the most swinging coup and oh so safe.
👍
Love your videos! Thanks 😊
Thank you 👍
Move away, then they will go up, haha they are waiting for you to move.
But great idea, will adopt.
I raised my eyebrows when you said you were going to try it. I really like your design. I may try something like that for one of my new coops.
👍🙂
Try adding wood going across the 2x4 when they go up to resemble a run that they are used to.
My yard has perches, NO SWINGS, found they don't really LIKE them, they like other elements, dust bath, perch trees,(its an upright with staggering outcroppings) , odd things in the yard that get moved around to make it new and interesting with same things just different locations...they have a grazing area thats a 2x4 frame with wheat/rye grass planted in it with wire over so they can't pull up the plant just graze off the top...ur perch is way more than I'd ever put up...think its over kill maybe a perch ladder type would have been better??? but thats a personal choice, to each their own...you know ur birds...so hope they enjoy
Great idea on the perches I was just thinking up ideas and yours is better lol. So I think I’m gonna try that
👍
Thanks for design idea
Nice job ... The chickens will figure it out soon enough ... I found the roosters used the outdoor perches the most ... I like the hanging cabbage, lettuce, or scraps hanging from the top of the cage. There are some you can buy or you can make your own. Gives them some else to keep their interest. Also turning the dirt inside the cage. You have very good content and really enjoy how you explain things ... it may be slow or to much info for some but you can’t please everyone. Look forward to your videos.
Thanks 👍
Iam going to use branches I found at the lake when it was just my dog and me. The hinges are awesome. My first idea was a ladder but with hinges it just moves one step and out of the way most excellent
Cool man,Thanks!
Another common sense solution from brother Pete!! Great build!!!
Thank you 👍
🙀
Looks awesome.
Thank you
Nice setup Pete. Overbuilt, means you can use your time on another project verse coming back to repair the first one. Love the channel, keep up the great work. Robin.
Thanks 👍
Great idea and set up but i think I'd make the temporary boards permanent for more support in the back. just so its not all that weight on the screws.
I use to raise chickens and they normally don't need a perch outside if you have a house for them to go in at night. Since they are already doing that they may not use it unless it gets very hot and they decide to come out and use it to stay cooler.
I used to have an old branch in the corner of the run and they did use it before it broke and sometimes the swings, I thought I would give this a try.
Outdoor perches reduce fighting & well worth having given the injuries I've seen.
nice idea thank you for sharing
Thank you
nice design , I've something like that in mind for my chicken's run. lady's first door came in the other day , thanks for turning me on to it.
Awesome 👍
I saw it here too!
That thing is a DREAM👍
I recently bought a second one to give access to an adjacent yard I just built.
Thank you 👍
My coop is temporary, and I needed a perch where I could change the height as the birds grew I used closet Rails and attached a wood pole. I can raise/lower it as needed.
Great video thanks 😊
Thank you 👍
Nice job
Thanks!
Wouldn’t it be easier to let it fold down like drop leaf tables
Great work though thanks!
I didn't catch what your chickens said, very impressed with your ability. Is it 2 years since you made that run? Love all your video's alway give them a like prior to watching. Thanks for all
your time and video's.
Thank you, I really appreciate it.
Nice!
Thank you
For future you could use 2x2’s instead of 2x4’s. It would still be plenty strong for chickens and much lighter and cheaper
A platform on the end will keep it from folding up out of the way.
I've been educating myself on coops before I build my own. The wood going up on your perch must have little wood pieces so they won't slide off, just as your mill worms did. Don't think they'll fly up there on their own. You have to show them. Possibly sit one on it? Also I think they little feet get messed up, bumble foot on 2 x 4s which is why most use 1 1/2 round dowel type perch poles, some even use small rope wrapped around the pole, seen that on CarolinaCoops. Take care. Can't wait to get some of my own! ttyl
👍
I would have lifted one of the chickens up and let her sit in the perch. But then I have ISA Browns that are very friendly and don't mind being picked up.
He doesn’t sound like he’s originally from east tx.😂
Just a thought, im in the tropics, its summer all year long, I was thinking about using metal pipe wrapped with cord, carolina coops is doing this with wood, I personally believe the texture of wrapped pipe would be the same.
That would work too.
The second you go indoors those chickens will be all over those perches....😅😁 You've made such a great job of this, although I really wanted to jump in and help when you were struggling with trying to hold it and screw it up!! Not enough hands!!
You're right, they love to sit on the perches most of the day and just hang out.
how bout a section of sash chain you could wrap around end of perch to hold it up while cleaning.
currently making a coup myself. yours looks real good
Good idea, Thank you 👍
I loved my chickens. But haven't had any since 2008. I was off work for a couple of months due to a back injury. I had 52 chickens. Some layers, some duel purpose and some just because I love the breed. They were shut in every night because of the foxes, raccoons and opossums. I'd let them out in the morning. I took my son to school one morning and came home to find a female coyote and her pups killing my chickens. They just killed them and went on to the next one. When I got out of the car, they all ran off. I had dead chickens everywhere. I had 2 chickens left. One little banty hen who was sitting on eggs in my broody cage. And one smart old Americana hen who had flown up into a tree. I'm retired now. Was a veterinary technician for 33 yrs. Every animal I have ever owned has been important to me. Loving animals is in my DNA. It broke my heart seeing my chickens dead all over.
And I wasn't physically able to keep chickens safe anymore. So I just don't have them. But I sure miss them. And I enjoy watching you take care of yours.
My girls only take to their roost really early in the morning when due is still on the ground ! Other than that youd'e think they never used it ! But early in the am there they all every last one of them !
They don't need a platform to get to the lower bar. I've got hens that will fly up to a 4' high pony wall to get treats. 2' is only a hop with 1 flap for a full grown large fowl.
Thanks 👍
My chickens don't seem to care for the swings, but they do like the "stadium seating" style perches I built.
👍🙂
Must be some big a55 chickens! What are you feeding them?
So please update on this re the hens acceptability of the changes. I love seeing things about your chickens. Particularly interested in how you can improve on the compost side of the coop. I feel there could be made more use of wood chips or straw or hay. It doesn't look deep enough layered to hold any moisture in as the soil is too compacted. The chickens should do the composting for you.
Thank you, I'll be taking the first 4 to 5 inches of the chicken run soil and adding/amending it to my garden and greenhouse beds. Then adding wood chips back to the chicken run and start all over.
@@petebeasttexashomesteading Better choose a cooler day or in the cool of the day to do this. Think of your health. The ground is practically rock hard - probably from that time when it was so wet. Be generous with your wood chips or straw or hay. The chikens will make light work of it. Don't forget to add to it frequently.
@@carolleenkelmann4751 👍
I thought maybe you would install an air conditioner for them.....LOL!
Hey not a bad idea 👍🙂
@@petebeasttexashomesteading Or a box fan.
Thanks guys for the chicken wings lol
Great job, but are you going to put a roof over the run? For protection from sun and rain?
They get a little morning sun but I built the coop and run near big oak trees so they get shade after about 10:00 or 12:00.
@@petebeasttexashomesteading think about the rain, it will turn it into a mud pit.
A roof is a must for protection from the the rain! With no roof, they also feel more vulnerable to ariel preditators!
I would also put some greenery above, can be just green branches stuck in the fence. Will make it cozier for them!
One more thing. My run is on going to be around 14 to 16 feet. Thank you
What is the thing your saw is mounted to called? I’m working on my coop right now but the hand saw is just a pain to be more accurate with
It's called a "saw horse" with some 1 inch boards on top. You can get decent ones at Home Depot for around $50 to $60.
I'm a prescriber of your site and I live in SE Texas. 90 miles outside of Houston. If you could be so kind as to answer this one question. I'm building I hoop house with cattle panels covered by chicken wire. I intend on building them a house out of plywood with some nesting boxes in their house but I don't have enough wood to build a shed large enough to build them a roosting area. If I have my hoop house enclosed with a tarp, will the chickens roost in the cattle panel hoop if I build something like you have done in this video, or will they all try and stuff themselves in the nesting area? I don't want them crapping in their nesting boxes. I hope I made my question clear so you can give me an answer. BTW, I have 5 sheets of plywood to make their nesting area but I don't think I can make them a pearch to accommodate 15 chickens in the nesting area. Thank you.
Yes if you build them some perches in the cattle panel hoop house, they will use it.
Over engineered, 🤔 nope. I like yourself work on the philosophy do it right the first time and feel satisfied with with your efforts 😊👍👍👍
Well said!
I know you said these were perches. What is the difference in perch vs roost bar? Everything I've read says 2.25-3" width for health and comfort of their feet. Won't these be too narrow??
Roosting bars are for the chickens to sleep all night. A perch is for them to sit on for a short time. You want roosting bars to be either large round diameter maybe 2 to 3 inches or flat like the flat side of a 2"x 4". But the narrow side of the 2"x 4" is fine for a perch.
Hi Pete, do you buy meal worm or you make by yourself?.
I buy for now but I might make my own in the future.
@@petebeasttexashomesteading have noticed ALL amazon chick treats come from china( mealworms bsf larva). might want to find US company for a While.
Hi ... How long are the side board's and the legs?
The side boards were cut to 36 inches, then I cut 20 degree angle on both ends and the legs are 24 inches.
🌺🌸🥀🌺🌸🥀👍👍
Thanks 👍
What breed off birds do you have?
I have Rhode Island reds and Blue Andalusian but I don't recommend the blue Andalusian because they are not good egg layers and the rooster is too aggressive.
Aren’t you concerned that allowing them to get used to perching and roosting outside the coop might encourage them to stay outside instead inside where it’s safe(er)?
No, they instinctively know to perch inside the coop because it's safer. They do use the outside perch most of the day.
9:31
I thought the camera fell.😑
Peanut butter will hold the meal worms
At today's prices (2022) that would cost around $300
You built it wrong that’s why they don’t use it. The pivot point needs to be at or above their center mass. To raise the pivot point You you need 2 side boards going up and that’s where you attach the chains or ropes. That way they can balance themselves. My chickens love it and don’t have a hard time staying on.
Lose the loud music, ouch.
You need more greenery in there! Preferably small bushes, climbers and grasses, that they can nibble on. Put rocks onto the roots of the plants, so the chickens can't unearth it. Big pots also make it more interesting for them. Rhubarb, mint, rosemarie, a pot of parsley, they will love eating them and hiding under the foliage of smallish bushes. Now it is even more interesting for your chickens!4
Grow stuff, that they can eat also from the outside of the coop. Like maybe grapes. They grow fast, give food, shade and sun in the winter. For colour some pansies, which they can eat, but the outside ones they can't. Turn the run into an oases. Visualy also for people more interesting.
Watch this austrian chicken owner. It is in german, but you will see what I mean,
ua-cam.com/video/MPIrrQUq5ds/v-deo.html