What do I use to make roosts for chicks?

[loco por pollos]

I have seen people post that they have put roosts in their brooders. What are you making them out of and how big are they? I have 31 chicks, 1 week old and they are flying around and sitting on the waterer and the feeding trough. They obviously need something. Any ideas on what else I could use for entertainment? Thanks for helping a newbie!

 

[thekla]

my brother gave me an old cd rack made from small wood dowels - it was perfect - chack around at resale shops of you have time you might find one - or buy a few wood dowels and make one?

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I just use little sticks & branches of assorted diameters. They will sit & stand on them throughout the day, but still go to sleep in a big dog pile at night.

They also have fun with a big clump of grass pulled up with the roots & dirt intact. And also a pan of dry dirt to scratch & dustbathe in.

 

[Judy]

They don't really need a roost at that age; it is just entertainment for them. I stuck a stick through the sides of my cardboard box brooder, maybe 2" off the floor. Some played on it, some did not, but all still slept on the floor. You can use most anything handy. They even like scraps of 2X4 or whatever, something to jump up on. SunnySideUp had some good ideas. They also like mirrors and small places to go into, like a shoebox on its side with a rock in it to hold it in position, or with its top taped on and the end cut out, or some fist sized rocks out of the yard. Anything that's something different from yesterday.

 

[emvickrey]

I don't use a roost for te babies. When they get 4 weeks old they move outside into a temp cage and I use a stick for the roost there. In two cages I have old drift wood and they play and hide inside of it. or behind it.

My babies love to play king of the top of the feeder. they are hilarious.

I gave them all worms today and the comedy began. Oh there they go with the king of the feeder right now. Seems to be their favorite game.

 

[Tala]

I gave mine a large dowel rod stuck through the holes in their dog crate brooder. Some slept on it part of the time, but it's mostly entertainment and practice.


<<<< See avatar, lol

 

[NellaBean]

I took a small piece of scrap wood and screwed each end into......a dixie cup!

You could also use a larger plastic cup if you want it to be taller, or more sturdy....or whatever.

The cups keep it upright a little better and it is cheap and easy.

They may not need it, but they loooove it.

(these are old pics, they have since moved to bigger digs)

 

[Dr.Doorlock]

Sometimes the tree needs a little pruning. Their latest roost was a curved cedar limb which was keeping sun off the new corn outside their run. I put it off the fence at about 4' off the ground and it's the current favorite. Unfortunately one of the girls has developed a limp. I caught my game hen, Black Dahlia pecking her. I don't know if she did the damage or if it came from a bad landing from a slick roost, but if Dahlia doesn't stop peckung I'm putting peepers on her and I may even add a silly hat!