8 foot ladder as roost?

[ChickieNikki]

Could I mount my old 8' ladder horizontally as a roost? They could roost on the rungs and the longer side pieces, and it would give them 21' of roost, counting the rungs. I could put it up off the floor pretty high and build a little ladder to it, with bins/litter pans to catch the poo.

It would be for 25 heavy chickens assuming I keep them all healthy to adulthood (so far, so good)...coop is 6x11, and I'm struggling with roost ideas...the ladder ought to hold the weight, considering I have been on it while 8 months pregnant!

 

[saddina]

I don't see why you can't reuse the ladder, but you may not want to mount it very high for heavy breads. Can you stick it by the far wall?

 

[luvs2garden2000]

I use a homemade ladder that my dad made a million years ago as my roost. It is made out of 2 by 4's. Works great.

 

[patandchickens]

In a geometric sense, it works ok. However if your coop gets pretty cold -- I really don't have a sense of what your winter lows are probably like -- then it is of value to have wider roosts (like the wide side of a 2x4) so their tummy feathers cover their toes to prevent frostbit toes.

Good luck, ahve fun,

Pat

 

[nwmud]

thats a great Idea
I have an old wood ladder that i was going to throw out. It might work great to make a roost out of.

 

[ChickieNikki]

Quote:
Thanks for that--I knew that, but didn't think of it. Newbies, we need reminders! I'm going to measure those side pieces--they may actually be around 3" wide with the ladder turned on its side the way I'm thinking...those middle pieces, probably not. We're actually seriously considering using a heat lamp during those few weeks when temps go down below the teens. I know they keep each other's bodies warm, but not feet so much, so I'll keep their little chicken tootsies in mind!

 

[al6517]

Good idea, I use one just like it.

AL

 

[CityChook]

It's not metal, is it? Wood only. Metal gets too cold.

 

[chickenlittle32]

I use a metal ladder (in LA it doesn't get that cold) and the sex links and RIR love it.

PS ChickieNikki I really like your signature...

 

[calgal98]

I use a form of ladder...a horse blanket hanger that my dh created...as a ramp to the actual roost. Right now the 8wk old pullets are using it as their roost, but soon it will be access to the true roosts. I'll have too many chooks for the ladder. I'm at 55 chooks of various ages to 8 weeks and 5 hens of 2 years. The blanket holder is made of closet dowel and 2x4's. The youngsters love it as they are just learning to roost. Its a great transition from floor to roost. I also forgot to say that I just got an incubator. Ooops...more babies on the way. AND... quail also. I'm sorry to report that I'm addicted!