Best type of roost? Weigh in with your design opinion.

[A1momof3]

So what is they best type of roost? A roost with different levels or a roost with everyone on the same level? If you have a pic of what you think is the best design, please share.

 

[shmeggs]

both my coops use roosts that are boards turned on the flat side. with this type they can actually sit down and cover their legs this keeps them warmer in the winter plus gives their legs more rest. one of my coops has a ladder style roost.

 

[JackE]

I went with 2X4s on the same level. I read that they would squabble more trying to get the highest roost, with the ladder type arrangement. But, from what I've seen, they still squabble about where they want to be on the roosts. Some of them just HAVE to be next to one of their friends. And of course, there are disagreements on who gets to sit next to the popular ones. Some insist on a certain section of board, and there are always more than a couple that want that section of board. It's an adventure every night.
I went with 2X4s because it is just easier to work with dimensional lumber, than to try and figure out the best way to attach some odd shaped tree limb. Each board sits in a fitted notch at each end. That makes the roosts easily removable at cleaning time. Works for me.

 

[TheEggCollecter]

If you use branches strip all the bark off because it provides a home for mites.

 

[A1momof3]

Well, after a lot of reading and thinking I went with the limbs. It also helped that we had to cut down and clean out the area where the pen was going and I ended up with some really great limbs and they LOVE it! They are so funny, they each have their own way of getting up there and they have their own spots!!


I have done some painting since this picture but they all line up on the top limb and they all have their own spot.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Like a whole lot of things on this forum, there is no right way or wrong way. People care a whole lot more than the chickens do. As you noticed people do both. Both ways work.

My suggestion is to simply give them plenty of room. You say that’s not a problem. You can even do both and see what happens. Why not?

I use a version of both, sort of. My main roosts are the same height, but I integrate a lot of chicks. I’ve noticed some adult hens can be pretty brutal to young chicks on the roosts so I put in another roost off to the side and about a foot lower down. The young chicks often roost there instead of on the main roosts.

 

[Irishhenman]

I personally wouldn't use 2x4's or anything wide like that. The chickens can't grip them properly. Some people will say that they use them so that the chickens can cover their toes in winter but chickens can cover their toes on all roosts because of their skirts. If you prefer standard lengths of timber I would use 2x2's with the corners sanded down a small bit just to remove sharp edges. If you can though I would find some tree branches with a diameter of 2-3 inches that are fairly horizontal and straight as roosts. I find a ladder type system is best, hens will fight over the best positions on any type of roost. I would advise you to make the roosts removable too to make cleaning easier.

 

[fiddlechicken]

Since I'm here, how much headroom do the boids need on the upper- most roost? ( I have an EE, an Astrolorpe, a BO, and a Red star, no bantams...)

 

[dailyblessings]

This are the ladies relaxing in the 7 degree weather we had a couple of months ago. The roost branches are of stripped Alder wood.

The largest diameter of branches are around 2-1/2".

An empty roost...

 

[jetdog]

sorry phone had a brain fart