Can I use shelving as roosts?

[MVchickens]

I am converting half the shed into a coop and im trying to save space. Can I use the two pre existing 7' wide by 1' deep shelves as roost? I thought it would be a good idea because i can clean easily and it would save space having two roost right above each other. what do you think?

 

[secuono]

My chickens prefer wide boards over everything else. Only a few who can't fit roost on the thin ones!
I say go for it! Save $ because you won't need that poop board under the poles.

 

[C&Rman]

It's not heathy for them, their feet are designed to wrap around a branch or some sort of a board i prefer a 2"x2".

 

[obaan1]

Try it. If you or the birds don't like it, you can change it out later. I would use screws on installation for easier removal if you change your mind.

 

[clairabean]

It's not heathy for them, their feet are designed to wrap around a branch or some sort of a board i prefer a 2"x2".

I have never heard of that.​

 

[no1hilbily]

you could put a 2x4 on edge on the front if needed for someplace for them to get on

 

[duluthmom]

It is funny how they seem to be more comfortable roosting with their toes wrapped around something. I suggest putting a couple of pieces of split firewood kindling up on the shelves. They don't like unstable roosts so the flat split side down may be enough to keep it from rolling. Chickens are definitely not impressed with spending money on such things.

 

[BarefootMom]

Quote:

but very true!

 

[elmo]

C&Rman :

It's not heathy for them, their feet are designed to wrap around a branch or some sort of a board i prefer a 2"x2".

Sorry, but I don't think that's correct. Chickens are ground dwelling birds and their feet are primarily designed for walking on flat surfaces. Their toes don't grip the way a true perching bird's can. The differences in foot and toe structure seem clear to me when I compare the feet of our chickens to the feet of our parrots or even our doves.

One reason why the OP may not like using shelving as a roost is that the nighttime droppings will all be caught on the shelf, rather than falling below the roosting chicken as is the case with a typical narrow roost. Because the shelf would be the actually roosting spot, you wouldn't want to leave them there and make the chickens roost in their own feces night after night. It would get fairly nasty fairly quickly. But if you plan on scraping and scrubbing the shelf every morning, it could work.​

 

[Judy]

C&Rman :

It's not heathy for them, their feet are designed to wrap around a branch or some sort of a board i prefer a 2"x2".

Look at their feet on a narrow roost, then look at the feet of another bird. Chickens can wrap their toes to a point, but nothing like, say, a parrot. In winter in cold areas, they are much better off with a wide flat surface so they can easily rest their bodies on the whole foot. Prevents frostbitten toes. Sometimes a really big large fowl bird, like say an orp rooster, will prefer to sleep on a shelf rather than even a 4" roost.​