attaching roosts?

[GoodEgg]

Hello everyone,

I have what is probably a very dumb question.

My roosts are 8 foot long 1x4's. I'm going to have to change them out because I'm finding that they aren't strong enough really, and when they get big I know I need 2x4's.

Problem is, I've tried putting them in a couple of ways, and they always seem to knock them down sooner or later. I want to find a GOOD way to secure them before I get anything heavier. It already worries me that someone will be hurt or killed when one falls.

I don't SEE them do anything, but sometime overnight they will sometimes knock one down.

I've tried to make them removable to clean, is this necessary? I CAN just nail them in permanently.

But I nailed a wide shelf in to wedge them in between, and somehow these crazy chickens even removed the nailed in shelf.

Any ideas? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I can't seem to get it worked out. Thanks!!!

trish

 

[mdbucks]

Use screws and hide the screwdriver!!

I used real trees approx 3 inches across, and mine have no problems, 2x3 shold be strong enough if your trying to save space

 

[schmoo]

I used long wood screws and 26 chickens couldn't move them

 

[schmism]

wood screws hear....

wire brush and a quick brushing and you should be good.

 

[GoodEgg]

LOL, thanks everyone!

I'm glad I haven't returned the drill yet. I'll take care of that, and definitely hide the screwdriver!

(Makes me wonder what they DO in there at night! Or first thing in the am, whichever. They always seem quiet when I go out at night.)

Thanks again!

trish

 

[silkiechicken]

Yeah, nails pull out very easily, do screws and yes, that 1x4 is gong to warp and can even pull out screws after the birds roost on them a while. As for removable. What about attaching a 2x4 to the wall, and then attaching the roost bars to the 2x4 so you can just lift up the roost bars? I'm either imagining your coop wrong or making no sense here...

 

[cheeptrick]

I use these...works great!
They are at Depot in the building/lumber hardware side. The 2x4's can be removed and washed this way!
Had to install another because I realized I didn't have enough for my 24 birds...they like 20 inches of roosting space...spoiled things!

 

[Dawn419]

Here are our modified roosts that are in our Chick-N-Barn...

Cheeptrick,

Thanks for posting your pix, think we'll go that route for the main coop roosts!

Dawn

 

[rufus]

I suggest round poles like those used in closets. The chicken's foot is designed to grasp limbs. Square cut lumber can over time cause foot problems.

They sell those hanging caps that are used to hold up the close pole in the closet. They work great at keeping the roost in place.

Good luck.

Rufus

 

[silkiechicken]

Chickens don't actually grasp things like most birds so if you do use round roosts, make sure they are big enough in diameter. Generally, if they are roosting and you can't see their toes, it's a good size.