Are these roost ok?

[Mamatomany123]

I changed my girls roosts today. Their coop was originally just the playhouse and the roost was right above the two windows (1st picture). Well, we added in to the coop and I moved them back (2nd picture). They can get on as seen in the picture but then they jump off and start wondering around squaking. I know it's probably because it's new but do they look ok? We were originally going to use 2x4s but cant get to the store and have these right now, I believe they're 1x4s.

 

[sloanbychoice]

I think it looks ok. They’re probably just upset about the change. They’re such sissies about anything being different. Lol

 

[Mamatomany123]

I think it looks ok. They’re probably just upset about the change. They’re such sissies about anything being different. Lol

Thats what I was thinking. I would have left the old one but it was too high and they were starting to hit their heads on the roof. They're only 9 weeks old so I knew they definitely wouldnt fit when full grown. I was just trying to help them but they seem ungrateful

 

[MurrayAP]

Chickens prefer round roosts, square edges can hurt their feet and since the new ones are more narrow that may explain why they don't stay on them for long periods of time.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Chickens prefer round roosts, square edges can hurt their feet and since the new ones are more narrow that may explain why they don't stay on them for long periods of time.

The first one was a 2x4 but the edges were more rounded. I guess I'll have to make a trip to the store tomorrow and pick one up.

 

[MurrayAP]

The first one was a 2x4 but the edges were more rounded. I guess I'll have to make a trip to the store tomorrow and pick one up.

Or you could cut down a few small straight trees, old shovel handles work well too. Anything of a decent size that's round and straight. Other than that your roosts looked lovely!

 

[Mamatomany123]

Or you could cut down a few small straight trees, old shovel handles work well too. Anything of a decent size that's round and straight. Other than that your roosts looked lovely!

I cut down a branch from our tree and they would not even get close to it. My chickens are so picky. They wont even eat the ants in their run.

 

[MurrayAP]

I cut down a branch from our tree and they would not even get close to it. My chickens are so picky. They wont even eat the ants in their run.

Was it large enough and level? They won't roost if it's not nearly level. Lol, they are picky creatures!

 

[Mamatomany123]

Was it large enough and level? They won't roost if it's not nearly level. Lol, they are picky creatures!

It was definitely large enough and as close to level as you can get a tree branch. I think because the addition is still new and now new roost. Hopefully theyll adjust but I'll try to get rounder ones in there.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They simply don't like change... change in bars, change in height of bars, etc.

If you want to stick with the roosts you installed, you can always just sand down the edges to make them smoother on their feet.