Are my perches too high?

[FlackShackChicks]

This is what I was going to say. Getting up is easy, but they need enough space in front of the perch as they fly out and down to make a soft landing. I couldn't remember the rule of thumb, but if @jthornton is correct and it's 45 degrees then whatever your perch height is, they need the same distance out in front of the perch as a landing zone on the floor.

As others have mentioned, it definitely takes time until they start roosting. Maybe wait a few weeks and see if they get it figured out before making major modifications.

Your nest boxes are designed in a way that the birds can roost on top of them, so as long as the roosts are higher than the floor of the nest boxes, they should choose to sleep there.

Good luck! Good job on your coop build!

It definitely feels like they’re too high. That was my gut feeling. And moving won’t hurt anything! Thank you for commenting.

 

[coach723]

Yes, that's where I'd put them, I try to keep my lower perches to no more than about 18 inches off the ground, and spacing of the uppers about the same. That way if larger birds are inclined to jump, less chance of leg or foot injuries. If you go with poop boards you will need to leave enough space to accommodate those and not cramp the roost below.

 

[FlackShackChicks]

Judging from the second photo there is not enough room for them to fly down without hitting the wall. And possibly too close to the wall I can't tell. Chickens can fly almost vertical on the way up but fly at a 45 or so on the way down and need a few steps to stop.

You should put your location in your profile so it's always there.

JT

Thank you for commenting. I had a feeling they were too high for how narrow my coop is. I’ll move them down.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Speaking of those nests. To me it looks like they are external, not flat top inside the coop. My nests are internal with a flat top. Some chickens use those as an intermediate point when getting to the roosts, others fly straight up.

Are the nests finished? It looks like you don't have much of a lip on them. I'd suggest about a 4" lip to keep them from scratching the bedding, fake eggs, and real eggs out. The top of that lip will serve as a perch for them to land on when flying/hopping up to the nests. A 2x4 with a top 1-1/2" thick and 3-1/2" high should work.

When you move the roosts keep them higher than the nests so they don't sleep in the nests.

 

[FlackShackChicks]

Speaking of those nests. To me it looks like they are external, not flat top inside the coop. My nests are internal with a flat top. Some chickens use those as an intermediate point when getting to the roosts, others fly straight up.

Are the nests finished? It looks like you don't have much of a lip on them. I'd suggest about a 4" lip to keep them from scratching the bedding, fake eggs, and real eggs out. The top of that lip will serve as a perch for them to land on when flying/hopping up to the nests. A 2x4 with a top 1-1/2" thick and 3-1/2" high should work.

When you move the roosts keep them higher than the nests so they don't sleep in the nests.

No. The nests are still under construction. But I’ll make note of your suggestions! I didn’t know about the front lip. So, thanks!

 

[aart]

I had a feeling they were too high for how narrow my coop is.

Exactly!

I could lower them to just above the nesting boxes so they’re below the window. Would you recommend that?

There ya go!