Building a Perch in the Coop

[chynasparks]

My hubby made a roost caddy. Think of a tool box caddy that you pick up from the handle, a carrying tray that you would toss your tos in. Well, this is a roost caddy. The roost is a 2x4 the caddy part is the poop box. 3 inches deep 2x4 sides. I can't recall at this minute how wide it is but it's wide enough to catch the droppings when the are on the roost. I have sand and sweet PDZ in it also some DE. It fits the length of the roost house and can be taken out for cleaning through the outer access doors. Admittedly, with sand in it it's heavy, but not so heavy that I can't take it out and carry it. It's not full of sand. Just enough to catch and clean waste. The roost is about 8 inches high which is above the nest boxes. We wanted to make sure they had head room when they are full grown. Seems to be working fine, they use it

 

[TimM]

Two quick questions, if I may:

1) What is pdz? It sounds like a great idea.

2) I've seen pictures of a coop in which a different approach was taken. The entire area under the perches is fenced off to keep the chickens out, and it is cleaned by access from a slot in the outside wall. I guess it's great that the chickens can't get poop on their feet and track it all over, or scratch it around. But it also greatly reduces the floor space in the coop. Do any of you have an opinion on the tradeoff there? I'm in the process of building a new, larger coop now, and I need to make this decision.

Thanks!

Tim

 

[Mtn Laurel]

In trying to maximize the space in the coop, we built a sort of lipped table/platform that has sand in it. The roost is above it. The feeders are attached under it.

The feeders are situated so that the birds can't roost on them and are set back far enough so that nothing falls into them. We've since added a piece of wood to the edge of the table/platform that gives them a second roost.

 

[chynasparks]

PDZ, is called sweet PDZ. Canada calls a similar product Dry Stall. It prevents odors in the coop. Got mine from Tractor Supply. Completely safe for the chickens even if they eat it. Mix it in your litter, sand. Can be used in cat litter boxes. I aware by it. Not too expensive

 

[Lisa Arbour]

In trying to maximize the space in the coop, we built a sort of lipped table/platform that has sand in it. The roost is above it. The feeders are attached under it. The feeders are situated so that the birds can't roost on them and are set back far enough so that nothing falls into them. We've since added a piece of wood to the edge of the table/platform that gives them a second roost.

I

 

[Lisa Arbour]

I love your perch design! We are in the process of constructing our coop and I think I want to use your idea. Can you tell me how far off the ground you constructed your tray and how far from the tray you mounted your perches? I would welcome and appreciate any more details you would like to share. Thanks for posting this picture.