Roost bars - Page 2

I have a catch bin under our roost ... it's great

just be sure to keep your closest perching bar not closer than 18" from the wall, then the poop can't reach the wall = less cleaning.

Here are the nesting boxes (put ledges on to make it easier for the hens to get in....necessary???).  To the right is the poop shelf...starting to put up roosts.  For chickens, say the size of easter egger, what is the closest I can start from the wall?.....and I was just reading the post about roosts being higher than the nesting boxes ...now I am a lil worried as I planned on making them somewhat even...???

The other side of the barn

I am now second-guessing putting "bars" in front of the nest boxes to aid in getting in them.  I am afraid they will want to roost there too!  Any suggestions on this? This weekend we are planning to add the roosts above the "poop" shelf to the right of the boxes.  Maybe we should replace the nesting box bars with a lil walk up and maybe a plank in front of the top row of boxes??  Suggestions plz!!
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by richchicks 

 

Here are the nesting boxes (put ledges on to make it easier for the hens to get in....necessary???).  To the right is the poop shelf...starting to put up roosts.  For chickens, say the size of easter egger, what is the closest I can start from the wall?.....and I was just reading the post about roosts being higher than the nesting boxes ...now I am a lil worried as I planned on making them somewhat even...???

I am too building my first coop. I was also going to put a bar in front of my nesting boxes , Im curious now .......Kim

I'm new too, but from what I've read here I'd just put the roost bar higher up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brybellchicks 

I am too building my first coop. I was also going to put a bar in front of my nesting boxes , Im curious now .......Kim

What we decided was to completely take the bars from the nest boxes.  We were actually able to use them over the poop shelf for the actual roosts.  The chickens get in the boxes just fine without the bars. 

nice job:)   I'm in the process of doing a 4 x12 section in my shed (which is 12 x30).. After looking thru this forum that's loaded with ideas:)  I 'think" what I'm going to do is, like yours, but 4 nesting boxes across/ and put my roosts/poop board ABOVE the nesting boxes , this way it will also save on space. Will be able to access my boxes from the opposite side of the wall, I won't have to bend under the poop board (saves on space), and keep the poop out of the nesting boxes, hopefully:) 

I still will probably keep perches outside the nesting boxes, but the poop board/roost above should convince the chickies to go higher to roost..

Of course I may change my plan but that's what I'm thinking now.. Yours looks great tho:)

HI:

I like your nest box design and am building something very similar with 5 and 5. Can you post a picture of the outside of your boxes? Also, are you planning to put a roost bar in front of the nest boxes on the inside? I think I may need to do that since my coop is 8x6 and I don't think one roost bar on the opposite side will be enough