Broilers under commercial conditions might experience relatively high temperatures during summer and leg disorders year round that may be partially alleviated by providing them with access to cooled perches. It is unknown, however, how perch temperature and factors such as height and position of the perch affect perch use. Furthermore little is known regarding gender effects. Eight thousand 1 day old, mixed-sex broilers were used in this experiment. The birds were exposed to three perch treatments to determine preferences for water-cooled perches over ambient temperature perches and preferences for height, location, and temperature section of the perch. The experimental treatments were as follows: 1) three cool perches 15 cm above the floor (Cool 15), 2) three ambient perches 7.5 cm off the floor (Ambient 7.5), 3) three ambient perches 15 cm high (Ambient 15), and 4) control chambers with no perches. Total number of birds perching, their positions, and temperature section within the perch were recorded. The results of this study indicate a strong preference for high perches as birds grow. The cooler sections of the perch were utilized more than warmer sections within the cool treatments. Females showed a stronger tendency to perch than males, particularly within the cool treatment. The higher perch use could be one of the reasons for higher eviscerated body weight found in females with access to cool perches. Differences in mean body weight were not affected. However, potential effects of perch access in final body weights needs to be further investigated.