2x4 for roosts?

[RonC]

OK just to stir the pot my roosts are made from 2x3's on their side. Cheaper than 2x4's.

 

[hlhutchinson]

OK just to stir the pot my roosts are made from 2x3's on their side. Cheaper than 2x4's.

Oh I like that

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

OK just to stir the pot my roosts are made from 2x3's on their side. Cheaper than 2x4's.

Funny you should say that. ...2x3 are what I've opted to use in the new coop, just haven't gotten the poop board and roost installed they

 

[Hokum Coco]

OK just to stir the pot my roosts are made from 2x3's on their side. Cheaper than 2x4's.

Well I do have a variety of roost in my coop. The one used most to be technical is actually 1½" x 3½" wide side up.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I've very passionate in the use of 2x2's. Other than the outside floor frame and corners (2x3's) entire coops are made from them. Roosts and all nailers/rafters/joist. Being a minimalist we must conserve our resources. It's not like lumber grows on trees!

 

[lhaolpa]

Can I use a 2x4 or should we use 2x2?
We currently have two 2x4 roosts in the coop (our birds don't roost yet, they still sleep on the floor at 8 weeks old!) that the birds fly up onto off and on....and they are getting covered in poop. I'm wondering if 2x4 is too wide? I wanted their feet to be comfortable and warm in the winter....that was my main reason for using 2x4s.

I use limbs from trimming trees for roosts. I have two 1-1/2"round and slightly crooked limbs for them to roost on. I bored holes in 2x4s for the end mounts,as a lot of weight is on the roosts[7 Chickens] on them. The Chickens seem more comfortable on the natural wood than the 2x2s that I had before. I use an electric radiator type oil-filled heater in the winter to heat the coop,as it doesn't take much to keep the Chickens from freezing and the water thawed out.

 

[Erin80]

Going along with this, any ideas on how to keep 2x4 wide side up roosts clean? The poop that sticks up off the wood is easy, but then there's the other stuff that almost soaks in....
Short of taking them down (they are screwed in) every day and scrubbing them off....I have no idea.

 

[Rooster one]

I believe as long as they have something to roost they are totally happy. I have found out that most chickens adapt to anything that makes them comfortable.

 

[Hokum Coco]

any ideas on how to keep 2x4 wide side up roosts clean?

I have mine mounted in cups for easy removal.

 

[Erin80]

Good idea!