Roost height?

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BrushyHillGuide

BrushyHillGuide

Chirping
Oct 17, 2015
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Building some roosts inside the new coop and I'm wondering how high I can make them?

Coop is 10' x 8' and we have 4 layers and 16 2.5 month old chicks that'll be going in there. I'd like to put them fairly high, so that we can move around more easily to clean; but I don't want to make it too hard on our girls.

What height(s) is recommended??
 
Maybe you can start the roosts at say 18" off the ground and then as they get bigger, make the higher. However, you'll need low roosts if you chose a fat breed like the Delaware or a breed that has trouble flying like a Silkie.
 
The roost in our coop is about 4' off the ground (with a poopboard under). There is a ramp so no problems for even the little ones to access it.
 
How high across the back or wherever the roosts will be? Normally, about 24 to 36 inches and best to make them all one level if there is more than one, otherwise they will all try to crowd onto the highest one.

To help with cleaning, make the roost so it pivots up and out of the way (which means you want it no higher than halfway to the ceiling.....it has to have room to pivot to). You do want it higher than the nest boxes or they may try to roost in those. They will go for high ground......wherever.....whatever that is.

If they have trouble getting up to the roost or learning to get up to it, you can stage some intermediate platforms.......training wheels...... (stacked cement blocks, firewood, whatever) until they learn where it is and can fly up to it on their own. Once they start using the roosts, you can clean out the training wheels.
 
Just remember that you need to keep the roosts low enough so no wind blows on them from the ventilation you put in the top area of the coop. Also, the higher the roost the more clear landing area the chickens need for when they are flying down. They need the landing area to help break their fall so that they don't hurt their legs. Maybe making the roosts removable for when you are cleaning might be the answer for you.
 
BrushyHillGuide said:
Building some roosts inside the new coop and I'm wondering how high I can make them?

Coop is 10' x 8' and we have 4 layers and 16 2.5 month old chicks that'll be going in there. I'd like to put them fairly high, so that we can move around more easily to clean; but I don't want to make it too hard on our girls.

What height(s) is recommended??
Click to expand...

I don't know that I'd worry to much about height. If your coop has 2x4 rafters, they will figure out a way to get up there and roost. I'd be more concerned with a design that allows you easy access, so that the area under the roost can be easily cleaned of droppings and maintained.



The birds aren't too concerned about height...if it looks like a roost, then in a chicken's mind it is a roost. Here's an image of an impromptu roost that I made for my girls, one afternoon while I was working on the coop. If it looks like a fun place to spend time, they will do it.
 

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