Can they make the leap to roost? (pic)

[ecocheapomom]

We are in the final stages of our coop construction and the girls spent their first night inside last night. They were all up on the roost when I went to check on them, but I am concerned that they are having trouble making the jump. The coop (old shed redone) is about 4 feet wide and there are two roosts, one on the front wall and a longer one on the back. The roosts are 36" and 38" high. Is that too much of a vertical leap for them? They are only about 9 weeks old right now. Will it get easier or more difficult as they grow? I listened to them getting up there tonight and I think they are jumping onto the feeder first. Is that bad? Here is a picture to show the layout. Thanks for any input!

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[Mahonri]

How old are they?, that should be easy for them.

 

[ecocheapomom]

They are about 9 weeks and are New Hampshire's. They will have to start using both when they are full grown. Right now they are all cramming onto the smaller one by the window.

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

I don't think it will be a problem. I am amazed at the vertical leaps my chickens make, with seemingly very little effort....

 

[bubbazmommy]

You may want to give them another step instead of using the feeder as you want to try to avoid poop in/on the feeder. It will become more difficult as they get bigger.

 

[monathequeen]

VERY NICE COOP-!!!!
makes mine look like a shoe-box LOL

I really like the nesting box's the most. The only problem I see is you should put a couple of cinder blocks stacked on eachother next to one of the roost. (or build a small box made out of plywood about 18 inches high or so) They will jump up to the roost. It may be difficult for them to jump up there as it is now. (which is why they use the feeder.)
If your birds are going to be heavy birds, it would be hard on them without another step.
The height is very good the way you have designed it. actually mine are higher but I also have the blocks added. The chickens will almost always roost side by side. There are five roost in my coop and they always seem to use only one. I should get rid of a few I suppose.
In the winter, you couldn't slide a credit card between them that's how close they like to huddle. LOL

Good luck keeping that beautiful floor clean.....I probably should have done that. I have a cement floor with straw. Nice Job !!

 

[Ft Chix]

They sure can. It still amazes me how high anjd well they 'jump'

 

[rottdog]

they need more room to jump down then jumping up.......:/and you happen to have the same flooring i got

 

[shelleyd2008]

My chickens roost in the rafters of the barn....about 9 feet up.



We have a ladder standing in there for the babies and LF birds

 

[Judy]

Yes, NH's may need some sort of a step when mature. They fly a lot better young than later; they can injure themselves jumping down at full weight.