Can I Remove a Roosting Bar?

[InvertGang]

Hello!

My coop is 4' x 8'. I currently have two roosting bars at the back of the coop, 18" apart. I read that you should have 12" of roosting bar length for each chicken. However, all four of my hens are on less than half of one of the bars. They've slept like this the last few days in a row.

Could I remove the back bar and only leave the one they're using?

Thanks!

 

[The Moonshiner]

Sure. Looks like one is more then enough for them.

 

[WingItRanch]

Are you planning on having self control and no chicken math? If you can fight chicken math, then I don't see why you couldn't remove that spare bar, especially if it's in your way when cleaning. If you ever get more chickens, you'll have to add it back, though.

Also, just a suggestion- Consider adding more ventilation. It helps with humidity and frostbite in the winter and poop fumes/heat in the summer.

 

[InvertGang]

Are you planning on having self control and no chicken math? If you can fight chicken math, then I don't see why you couldn't remove that spare bar, especially if it's in your way when cleaning. If you ever get more chickens, you'll have to add it back, though.

Also, just a suggestion- Consider adding more ventilation. It helps with humidity and frostbite in the winter and poop fumes/heat in the summer.

The whole roof props up! We're still getting 35f temperatures overnight at times. In the summer I'm going to put a 2x4 under the top panel of the roof and the whole thing will tilt up for ventilation. That's why the hardware cloth is on the inside.

The front looks like this:

And is all open. There's a run now too!


Well for chicken math, I'm getting a rooster for fun. I'm waiting to see how he'll settle and I'm hoping he'll end up on the far side of the roost. So far he's not roosting.

 

[WingItRanch]

Well that is just awesome! Nicely done!

Maybe you could make that other roost bar removable and then if you need it in the future, just slide it back in!

 

[InvertGang]

Well that is just awesome! Nicely done!

Maybe you could make that other roost bar removable and then if you need it in the future, just slide it back in!

They're both removable! They sit in between some wood chunks to keep them in place. What are some signs I should add the back bar in again if I take it out?

You can see how the bars sit here

 

[WingItRanch]

I think just one roost should be fine with your current flock. If you add that rooster or any others, add it back in to reduce any pecking order drama and give them options to move away.

I have a ton of roost space but mine all fight for the same spots.