Apple tree branches as roosts?

[amysflock]

I have a big old ladder-type roost that takes up too much interior floor space, and I'd like to remove it this weekend and replace it with poles or 2x4s or something else.

We have a bunch of old apple and fir branches in our pasture (the cows have destroyed the apple trees!)...any reason why I wouldn't be ok using a few branches fresh out of the pasture for roosts, provided they're thick enough?

Thanks!

 

[scooter147]

I would say as long as they are 5-6 inches in diameter they should work. As you probably have read numerous times on here just make sure the birds can cover their feet in cold weather while roosting.

 

[patandchickens]

You might want to take the bark off first, because it'll come off eventually anyhow and by taking it off right away you avoid cleanliness and mite-hiding-places issues.

Should work great, though - apple is totally nontoxic, and wide-ish tree branches work well

Have fun,

Pat

 

[banter]

If they haven't been sprayed recently they should be great! We give them to our parrots because of there nutritional value.