2x4 verses 2x2 posts

[Peggsblueinc]

I have read 2x4 wide side up is better for their coop. That way they can sit on their feet and keep them warm. I Have 2x2 should I change to 2x4 wide side up since winter is coming?

 

[gtaus]

I have read 2x4 wide side up is better for their coop. That way they can sit on their feet and keep them warm. I Have 2x2 should I change to 2x4 wide side up since winter is coming?

I live in northern Minnesota, and before I made my roosts, I looked around for good information on this issue. There is a good YouTube video on this issue, and I can't remember the link (sorry), but the message was that some university study determined that laying the 2x4 flat was better for the chickens. That was because chickens don't lock their toes around their perch like many other birds. Laying the 2X4 flat allows the chicken to lay down on her feet to keep them extra warm, if needed. Sounds like you already heard that.

I imagine there will be people saying just the opposite. Oh well. At any rate, how cold does it get there in NV? When I lived in CA, and visited relatives in NV, the nights were cool enough for a jacket, but I never saw snow or felt it ever got "cold" - at least not by my Minnesota standards.

 

[Peggsblueinc]

I live in a small town just outside of Las Vegas. We can get as low as 19 in the winter. At night. And we do get snow. At least 3 times during the winter. Not like where you live. But definitely cold to me. So I think I’ll do them a favor and get them a wider roost.

 

[Alaskan]

I prefer the 2x4, wide side flat.

However.... how long will it be? An 8 foot length will sag over time.

2 1x4s screwed together in a T shape will stay straight.

 

[aart]

I wouldn't worry about it too much.
There's pros and cons to both.

 

[The Moonshiner]

I wouldn't worry about it too much.
There's pros and cons to both.

What's the cons to flat side up?

 

[aart]

What's the cons to flat side up?

Breast blisters on larger birds, not common but possible.
...and many will say it's bad for their feet.<shrugs>
I have both, flat for main roosts, 2x2 on edges of poop board and other roost supports.
They roost on both 4" and 2"(3 1/2 and 1 1/2), as well as the flat surface of board itself.
I just don't think it's worth arguing or worrying about...
...and that's coming from someone who usually delves into details.

 

[Peggsblueinc]

What's the cons to flat side up?

Yes what are the cons?

 

[Mobleymoon]

I don't know any of these pros and cons. But what I have noticed the old roost we use to have (build by previous owners of the coop) was like a square "J". Thay all lined up like school kids, on the bottom of the J and rest their "chest" (or crop??) on the shelf the top of the J made. When I hold the birds in my arms, they hunker down and rest their chest in my hand. Like they are top-heavy and resting that full "bag" of scratch and cracked corn on something. When I moved the roost over to the wall side I have noticed that they will sit on their feet on the newspaper and rest their chest on the 2x4 (2" up) roost. So I made a 2nd roost, 3" away from the 1st. roost and 3" taller (that's confusing: 2, 2x4's both 2" side up. The first one mounted to a strip of plywood so it won't fall over. The 2nd 2x4 mounted to 2 "legs, ( short 2x4 chunks) still with the 2" side up. ( I took it to a second level and covered the sitten 2x4 with a gray foam pipe cover, They love it and haven't picked at it yet. But I examine it every time I go out to the coop)

 

[aart]

Yes what are the cons?

If you'd scrolled down one more post you'd have seen my answer.