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Best Roosting Bar for Chicken Feet

post #1 of 13
8/3/12 at 5:06pm
Thread Starter 

I've read a lot of opinions of folks but it there a roosting bar that has really proven to be best for my cluckers' feet?  2X2 versus 2X4?   a Branch best?

 

~obsessed for sure

 

5/12: 15 BO's, 3 WL's, 1 recalcitrant BCM Roo aka 'Boaz'. (Yes beloved Adam, my chickens may bump me off for a worm but I'd never bump you off for Buffy 'n Scruffy)  Mittens 17 1/2 y.o Tortoise-Shell Calli with "tortitude" (never too late to start loving cats). And Hanna-girl, NSDT, best dog ever, resting peacefully since 4/12. We miss you, baby-girl.  "Hooked on Chickens"... and gratitude.

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5/12: 15 BO's, 3 WL's, 1 recalcitrant BCM Roo aka 'Boaz'. (Yes beloved Adam, my chickens may bump me off for a worm but I'd never bump you off for Buffy 'n Scruffy)  Mittens 17 1/2 y.o Tortoise-Shell Calli with "tortitude" (never too late to start loving cats). And Hanna-girl, NSDT, best dog ever, resting peacefully since 4/12. We miss you, baby-girl.  "Hooked on Chickens"... and gratitude.

Reply

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post #2 of 13
8/3/12 at 5:11pm
You're in a pretty `cold' winter zone. 2x4's and a paint scraper should keep the chook's feet warm and clean.
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post #3 of 13
8/3/12 at 6:28pm

I know most on here believe that the chicken should have a flat surface so they cover their feet in cold weather.  I know that they need to curl their toes to feel comfortable, so they tend to use the front of the perch.  When they are sleeping they squat down and cover their feet quite well, even with a narrower perch.  In my opinion full 2x2s will work.  Plus there is less to scrape.

I don't get better with age, only more confused(ing).

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I don't get better with age, only more confused(ing).

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post #4 of 13
8/3/12 at 6:31pm

700

 

I have always used tree limbs, and when I select the limbs I pick one that has different sizes on the same limb. One's that branch out with several smaller limbs are even better because your chicken will find the spot that is most comfortable. To me it's what nature intended.

Zak

 

Raising spoiled Silver Laced Wyandottes

 

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Zak

 

Raising spoiled Silver Laced Wyandottes

 

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post #5 of 13
8/3/12 at 6:47pm

We use natural branches pruned from our property.  Usually oak.  We live in MA, and get pretty cold winters.  I chose branches with a 3-6 inch diameter...which will allow them to lay on their feet in the winter.  We had a 2x4 in the coop in addition to the natural roosts, and they never used it...given the choice always picked the natural branch. 

Nanette

Wife to a very patient man & Mama to two sons (8&9), 2 dogs, 1 cat, 1 horse, 2 donks, 9 chickens, 4 goldfish & an algae eater named Fred. Our flock of nine includes 2 Buff Orp's, 2 Blk A'lorps, 2 Ara's, 1 BPR's, & 1PR.  http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-schoop

 

 

 

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Nanette

Wife to a very patient man & Mama to two sons (8&9), 2 dogs, 1 cat, 1 horse, 2 donks, 9 chickens, 4 goldfish & an algae eater named Fred. Our flock of nine includes 2 Buff Orp's, 2 Blk A'lorps, 2 Ara's, 1 BPR's, & 1PR.  http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-schoop

 

 

 

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post #6 of 13
8/3/12 at 8:10pm

2x4  always. my girls love the stability and we carpet it so there feet stay toasty warm in the winter months. they stand on the 4 inch side. hunker down in the winter on them and sleep very well. no perches, there not small birds there big girls and need comfort ( my opinion.

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=VKLTUgfkcBs
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http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=VKLTUgfkcBs
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post #7 of 13
8/3/12 at 8:49pm

Natural cedar... 4-6 inches

700

 

If a man speaks in the forest and there is no woman there to hear him,....Is he still wrong??
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If a man speaks in the forest and there is no woman there to hear him,....Is he still wrong??
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post #8 of 13
8/3/12 at 8:56pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by karlamaria View Post

2x4  always. my girls love the stability and we carpet it so there feet stay toasty warm in the winter months. they stand on the 4 inch side. hunker down in the winter on them and sleep very well. no perches, there not small birds there big girls and need comfort ( my opinion.


Does the carpet not get pretty poop-covered?   Maybe it doesn't matter.  I am concerned about the winter.  We get some nasty cold weather.

 

5/12: 15 BO's, 3 WL's, 1 recalcitrant BCM Roo aka 'Boaz'. (Yes beloved Adam, my chickens may bump me off for a worm but I'd never bump you off for Buffy 'n Scruffy)  Mittens 17 1/2 y.o Tortoise-Shell Calli with "tortitude" (never too late to start loving cats). And Hanna-girl, NSDT, best dog ever, resting peacefully since 4/12. We miss you, baby-girl.  "Hooked on Chickens"... and gratitude.

Reply

 

5/12: 15 BO's, 3 WL's, 1 recalcitrant BCM Roo aka 'Boaz'. (Yes beloved Adam, my chickens may bump me off for a worm but I'd never bump you off for Buffy 'n Scruffy)  Mittens 17 1/2 y.o Tortoise-Shell Calli with "tortitude" (never too late to start loving cats). And Hanna-girl, NSDT, best dog ever, resting peacefully since 4/12. We miss you, baby-girl.  "Hooked on Chickens"... and gratitude.

Reply
post #9 of 13
8/3/12 at 8:59pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for taking the time, everyone, and even posting pics.  My girls and guy have the 2X4's now.   I'm now thinking about hunting for some good branches as well.  And then we'll see what the

flock decides upon.  smile.png

 

5/12: 15 BO's, 3 WL's, 1 recalcitrant BCM Roo aka 'Boaz'. (Yes beloved Adam, my chickens may bump me off for a worm but I'd never bump you off for Buffy 'n Scruffy)  Mittens 17 1/2 y.o Tortoise-Shell Calli with "tortitude" (never too late to start loving cats). And Hanna-girl, NSDT, best dog ever, resting peacefully since 4/12. We miss you, baby-girl.  "Hooked on Chickens"... and gratitude.

Reply

 

5/12: 15 BO's, 3 WL's, 1 recalcitrant BCM Roo aka 'Boaz'. (Yes beloved Adam, my chickens may bump me off for a worm but I'd never bump you off for Buffy 'n Scruffy)  Mittens 17 1/2 y.o Tortoise-Shell Calli with "tortitude" (never too late to start loving cats). And Hanna-girl, NSDT, best dog ever, resting peacefully since 4/12. We miss you, baby-girl.  "Hooked on Chickens"... and gratitude.

Reply
post #10 of 13
8/3/12 at 9:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Missa Chickabee View Post

Thanks for taking the time, everyone, and even posting pics.  My girls and guy have the 2X4's now.   I'm now thinking about hunting for some good branches as well.  And then we'll see what the

flock decides upon.  smile.png

If you want true results, put them at the same level and in the same locale. 

 

If a man speaks in the forest and there is no woman there to hear him,....Is he still wrong??
Reply

 

If a man speaks in the forest and there is no woman there to hear him,....Is he still wrong??
Reply
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Uncle Sam Expects You To Keep Hens and Raise Chickens!!
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