1 1/2" wide roost o.k.?

[earthy_chicks]

Hi Everyone! Just back from the Depot to get more supplies and the largest diameter of wooden dowels I could find was 1 1/2" for the roosting poles. It seems quite large to me but I keep seeing 2" listed as the minimum. Can I have some input here? Thanks!

 

[MayberrySaint]

That seems too small a diameter for standard-sized hens. Best recommendation is to use 2x4 with the 4" side up. That way the hens can stand on the roost and not have to curl their toes around to stay on the roost.

Andy

 

[earthy_chicks]

O.k. so do I need to provide 2x4's for my standards and something a bit smaller for my banties? or can they all roost on 2x4s.
Thanks! I love this forum

 

[mudhen]

Uh-oh!

I've always used 2x2, which are really 1.5x1.5...
I'd better upgrade quick! Thanks for the info!

 

[Weewanona]

IMO - your banties should be just fine. Probably even more secure then the standards.

 

[silkiechicken]

Yeah, go with the 2x4's. I find my hens like to sit on big flat spaces.

As for needing to change them, 2x2's will be fine. I remember a time where mine were all roosting on 1x2's!

 

[homechick]

I guess when you think of roost you think of perch. When you think of perch you think ROUND. But I would hate to go to sleep with my toes curled..lol.
I finished my coop today and will be putting in roosts tomorrow, I'm SO glad I didn't put in the tiny things I had cut. Thanks!

 

[Dogginfox]

I read somewhere that chickens like to have their feet as flat as possible when they are roosting. If you live in a climate that gets really cold in the winter you will want to have roost where the birds can keep their feet flat and cover them with their feathers so they dont get frostbitten in the winter.