Looking for general rules of thumb on Chicken Roost Design

[coggonobrien]

What do you typically use for material, how high, can they be ladder style or will they poop on each other, etc?

Thanks
David

Here's my coop so far

 

[Egghead_Jr]

If not too long a roost 2x2's work well. I don't subscribe to wide flat roosts. If needing more strength for length of roost and weight of birds a 2x3 or 2x4 but I hang it upright. Little poop on the roost and plenty width for them to comfortably grab onto. The theory that their feet are covered on flat roost and not a 1.5 inch roost is not true. To prove this yourself make a 2x2 roost and look at an adult bird roosting on it. Can you see it's feet? No.

Structurally speaking no wood is secured horizontally with smallest dimension taking the weight. Depth of material is what secures load. If a 2x2 can't take the load than a 2x3 will. You can say I'm thrifty or a cheap SOB, either way I don't purchase material for more money that is not needed. 2x2's are my main material in coop construction, main supports are 2x3's and never use 2x4's. It adds up in costs and weight of coop.

 

[ChickenLover200]

Usually you'll want to use some sort of roost that you can move for cleaning, won't splinter, not too wide, won't break, no more than 4 foot off the ground, etc. I personally like to use old tree limbs or 2x4s.

 

[coggonobrien]

it has to be wood though for them to hang onto right?

 

[ChickenLover200]

That is all I have used ~wood, it seems to work the best though

 

[Folly's place]

Wood is the right material, and tree limbs or saplings are my choice too. At least two inches diameter, or larger. Birds will poop on each other if possible, and want the highest roosts available. Some of mine fly to the rafters (which are fence posts) eight feet up. Breeds matter, so lower roosts for some, and higher for others. Mary

 

[coggonobrien]

gotcha, currently I have goldstars and americanas

 

[ChickenLover200]

Heavier breeds *do*, obviously require a heavier roost, also...

 

[ChickenLover200]

gotcha, currently I have goldstars and americanas

Gold stars are great, aren't they? I have 8. They like roosting in high up places....

 

[TerryH]

What do you typically use for material, how high, can they be ladder style or will they poop on each other, etc?

Thanks
David

Here's my coop so far

I used 2x4's on the flat. That seemed to be the most common material. Are those nest boxes??? How many chickens are you planning on?