Roost spacing

I have a 4x4 coop and want to put two 2x4 roosts in it. Being limited on space, I am wondering what the "minimum" distance between them can be ...1.5'? thanks

mo

In a 4x4 coop, I'm guessing you just have a few birds?? If so, you should only need one roost, which would give them 12" each of roost space, which is plenty. There is no measurement between roosts on the same level - spacing should be so that birds can easily hop up to them without bumping into another roost.
Two roosts in a coop that size will mean water/food being pooped in most likely.

Noted. Thank you.

Mo

Mo I agree with teach1. As an example, when I built my coop (intended for 8 birds) I made sure my roost was 8'long. LOL, when I go out to do my headcount at night, I estimate the 6 birds I have are using about 2 feet of the roost.

I will pass on that most of the postings I have seen suggest that the roost (back side where the birds butts point) be at least 18" from the wall as it seems they will 'shoot' their poop and make the walls filthy if less than that. I still have a little problem on the side walls, as they all seem to squeeze to one side, but have not had a problem on the back wall. Don't set your roost too high in that coop as they will need head room when they jump up and there will be some wing flapping until they get settled for the night.

thanks....

mo

gardendufus said:

Mo I agree with teach1. As an example, when I built my coop (intended for 8 birds) I made sure my roost was 8'long. LOL, when I go out to do my headcount at night, I estimate the 6 birds I have are using about 2 feet of the roost.

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Mo, I took a real close look last night and revise that to they are using about 3 feet of the roost. Maybe because of the heat they are spreading out? or maybe just getting larger as they age.

So how high off of the ground are most people placing the roosting bars??

SDS

I have a four level tier roost. The first level being one foot off the ground then second two foot, etc. The highest is four foot high. If you go any higher than this I've heard others say it can lead to bumblefoot and other leg and foot injuries when they jump down from the roost. I've not seen it happen luckily! My chickens do not really jump down from the roost, instead they always fly off it. Sometimes they will land 10 feet from the roost with ease. My chickens are always trying to find areas even higher themselves when it's roost time. I've found a few in the rafters of my barn. Which says they have been up twelve feet high. They always fly down in the mornings. It's their natural instincts to be up as high as possible away from predators.

Just last night I went to close the coop I use for a few of my OEGB's. It was dark and I always carry my flashlight when closing things up for the night. Well, normally they are always perched in the roost of the coop. NOT this night!! I was so worried and went on a search of them. I looked everywhere! Twenty minutes later when returning to the coop fearing the worst where do I find them? They were sitting on top of the barn roof in the gutter!! HAHA! All fears gone now I get them and put them back into the coop. They had been using this coop for weeks now and every night they were inside but not this night! Just shows you they will always look for the highest level they can find right before dark. As you can see from my signature I have a varied mixed flock.

I have built two roost bars out of two by fours (wide side up) and placed them about 24" high. The coop is raised so the interior height is only about 4 ft. I figured this would be a good compromise.






Onstad1, is that a natural branch you are using? Is that a better choice than the 2X4?? Part of me is now wishing I had gone with a full height coop that I could walk into....too late now though.

SDS

sdsknifeworks said:

I have built two roost bars out of two by fours (wide side up) and placed them about 24" high. The coop is raised so the interior height is only about 4 ft. I figured this would be a good compromise.






Onstad1, is that a natural branch you are using? Is that a better choice than the 2X4?? Part of me is now wishing I had gone with a full height coop that I could walk into....too late now though.

SDS

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Yes that is a branch (actually a aspen trunk). My "main" removable roost is also s 2" branch, but it has been suggested to me that I switch to a 2x4 flat.. their feet are flat when they roost keeping them covered by feathers in the winter reducing frostbite is the idea. Guess that makes sense. I'm installing joist hangers for 4x4s on the sides so I can keep the removable roost idea going. think I'm going to try one roost and see how it goes.

mo