Chicken Swings - A Poll!

[HoopyFrood]

I just built and installed a chicken swing for our six month old girls. It seems many people do have success with chicken swings. I read enough good info in the BYC forums that I think we can conduct a poll and get all the juicy bits in one place

First, please answer the grammatically incorrect poll question: Do your chickens use their swing? (Sorry, I mistyped it and can't find a way to fix it.)

If "No" that's all the info we need.

However if your answer is "Yes" please supply some additional details. I'll compile the data and post the results for everyone!

If "Yes" then...

• At what age (approximately) were they introduced to a swing?
• (For larger pullet and hen-sized swings) How high is the rung off the ground?
• (For larger pullet and hen-sized swings) What is the size and material of the rung?
  
• (For larger pullet and hen-sized swings) How long are the supporting chains/ropes?
  
• At what approximate age did they stop using the swing (if they have stopped)?

Depending on the responses I'll update this thread with an estimate of when I'll have all the information compiled.

Thank you for participating! And for having fun with your peeps!

 

[azygous]

Usually, my chicks will start to use the swing around age six weeks, and they will continue to use it until around age two when they have reached full body size and weight.

My older chickens show no interest in the swing.

The swing is a few inches above the heads of the average size chickens so no one gets clobbered by it as it swings madly upon dismount.

I made it myself from materials I had on hand. The most important feature is a stabilizing bar above the perch so the chains don't fold inward when the chicken begins to dismount.

 

[HoopyFrood]

Wow,@azygous that is a lot of great information. Thank you! I was wondering about the stabilizer bar. Do you know (approximately) how long the chains are?

I didn't like my first design, so I took it down. I'm working on a new version with a heavier log to increase stability and I'm going to try adding a mount/dismount "platform" to make getting on and off less chaotic. I'll also try adding a stabilizer bar while I'm at it

 

[azygous]

These chains are around four feet. The length is dictated by where you need to hang it and how low you want it. I've seen photos where swings were hung quite high, and I really don't see how most chickens would be able to navigate an unstable perch such as this is if it were any higher than just above their heads unless they accessed it from an adjacent spot of equal height.

 

[MzGina]

MY girls and boys LOVE the 2 swings I have. I put them in there and for a week nothing... by 8 weeks old they are swinging.. I have one swing made from rope that about 4 inches off the ground and the other is 4 feet off the ground... Now my hubby has made a chicken jungle gym in the coop so they can can on it to get to the larger one....

 

[chickens really]

My Chicks love the swing once they can hop up and use it till about 6 weeks old...I have Brahma and Orpington cross Chickens so their Chicks love it but only for a short time.

 

[HoopyFrood]

These chains are around four feet. The length is dictated by where you need to hang it and how low you want it. I've seen photos where swings were hung quite high, and I really don't see how most chickens would be able to navigate an unstable perch such as this is if it were any higher than just above their heads unless they accessed it from an adjacent spot of equal height.

Like that video I embedded - baffling! But she sure looks like she's having fun

The period of a pendulum is basically just a function of it's length. So I figured the longer the chains, the more inherently stable (less swing-y) the swing would be. Good for novice swingers Mine are a little over six feet.

And thanks again (everyone) for the replies!

 

[schradersl]

Usually, my chicks will start to use the swing around age six weeks, and they will continue to use it until around age two when they have reached full body size and weight.

My older chickens show no interest in the swing.

The swing is a few inches above the heads of the average size chickens so no one gets clobbered by it as it swings madly upon dismount.

I made it myself from materials I had on hand. The most important feature is a stabilizing bar above the perch so the chains don't fold inward when the chicken begins to dismount.

Added one too for my 10 week old chicks. They just jump on/off. Haven't observed any swinging yet.