building new coop4 by 4 off ground. how high should I put roosting pole

[dstump54]

hi I'm building hey new coop. Its a 4x4 off ground style. It's for 8 hens. How high should I put roosting pole in coop.? New to this. Bought 8 thinking only 6 would make it but i was wrong.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Most breeds like to sleep as high as they can get. Make them higher than the nest boxes. Heavy breeds can get leg injuries from jumping from too high a perch. Don't make them too close to the ceiling or they can break their necks jumping up onto them.
If it freezes where you are make them at least 2" wide.

 

[dstump54]

Ok thank you. I have them almost half way. They are almost even with the top of nesting box. It gets way below 0 here. I live in Maine. Should I insulate inside of coop to?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Insulation may help but IMO with the amount of ventilation birds need I don't think even with insulation it would be much different temp inside or out.
Pick the right breeds for your climate and there are no worries. Chickens die from heat and bad air, not cold. What are your breeds?
It was a cold year here and a friend's birds chose to sleep in the covered run all winter rather than go in the coop.
I shoot for a minimum of 1 sq. ft. ventilation per chicken.

 

[dstump54]

4 New Hampshire reds and 4 Aracaunas. Excuse the spelling.

 

[dstump54]

 

[dstump54]

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Did you say the dimensions of the coop were 4'x4'? That's big enough for 4 birds.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/15096/realistic-run-space-coop-space-for-urban-coops

Crowding birds reduces air flow, stresses the birds, causes pecking/cannibalism, helps disease pathogens get a foothold and gets dirty faster requiring more frequent cleaning.

 

[dstump54]

Yeah 4x4x4. With 3 nesting boxes. Really only 4 birds?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Really, unless you want problems. Commercial layer houses pack them like sardines but they must medicate daily and trim beaks to do so. You're talking about big active birds. 8 would go stir crazy in there.
If you read all the posts about emergencies/diseases, a large percentage are about respiratory problems and chickens fighting. That spells not enough ventilation and not enough space.
If you want 8 birds just make it bigger. It would also be less top heavy and wouldn't blow over in a storm.