Confused about roosts!

[PaintedGemsRanch]

Here is our roost. Its hard to tell but the pans stick out about 6in on each side. The pans are from Home Depot/Lowes. They are for mixing concrete, etc. Real cheap and easy to clean. You cant put them in the other direction because they wont stick out far enough to catch the poo. I clean these every week or so and sprinkle with DE to help with the smell, my coop never stinks! The birds can roost in either direction and you dont have to worry. Hope this helps!!

 

[aussieheelr]

From my experience...
I put a 2x4 with the 4" across like I saw sugested and 3 feet above ground... they don't roost on it! They use it as a in-between point to get upto and roost on the rafters at 8 foot high... And mine are heavys. RIR, BR, WR, EE, BO and Wellies... plus 2 misfit banties

It just makes me laugh. And late egg/nest checks mean wear a rain coat... "BOMBS AWAY"

 

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

Thanks so much for the advice and pictures. I'm wondering if most chickens fly down from their roost, hop down to lower roosts to get to the floor, or walk down ramps.

 

[bbowen]

Quote:
Can you explain that cage setup on the right side of the coop? Are they able to get in and out of that area or is that some sort of holding pen?

 

[PaintedGemsRanch]

Quote:
Can you explain that cage setup on the right side of the coop? Are they able to get in and out of that area or is that some sort of holding pen?

Sure... that is my brooder pen.

 

[bbowen]

Is it bigger than it looks? It looks like the chickens are all crammed in there.

I think I'm overly cautious on room for my girls. They have more 2 sq ft per bird and there still young.

 

[PaintedGemsRanch]

Yes, its twice that size and there is only 7 birds in there. They were only in there because they couldnt figure out the roost and the larger birds were being mean. The other door hangs open so they can get in and out whenever, since they were plenty big enough for no heat.

 

[criker99]

We just finished a new roost project today. Original house is 4x12 and the roost was all on the same level (vertically) and was U shaped. As projected when we started the chicken project just over a year ago, we did outgrow it. As of today we have a ladder style, that is on hinges and able to be lifted up and attached to the ceiling so we can clean easily. 2x2 wood. As we expected, by roost time, the bottom 3 rungs are empty and everyone is spread out on the upper ones. We have all heavies and they love to get as high as possible.

I apologize for it being sidewise, I've tried to turn it around for you several times.

Here it is a little more full (but blurry due to lighting):

We've got about 31 hens and 1 rooster (plus 1 barred rock/easter egger cockeral that will have to be rehomed).

 

[Rafter 7 Paint Horses]

Quote:
Here are my opinions on your questions:

1. I prefer roosts all at the same height. We have both and there are fewer squabbles about who gets the best spot to sleep.
2. It depends on your flooring. You don't want heavy breeds to have to jump too far to get down. I like them about 3 feet high for them.
The game birds like higher roosts.
3. I wish I had dropping boards, but I bet the containers to catch poop would work well if you can get something in and out of the
coop to haul them with. They would be too heavy to pick up unless you emptied them every day or two.
4. I wouldn't. I like to be able to get to them easily, without having to bend over and reach under anything.
5. We have them at different distances. None are less than 12 inches. Mount them on a wall, not wire...because of predators grabbing
them. This includes roosts in the run.
I also prefer to use 2 x 4's mounted flat or very large tree limbs for the roosts.

Jean

 

[chickfan]

I have a question about the droppings board under the roosts. Do the chickens not like to get on that board and walk around? I was thinking the answer might be to put the droppings board very close to the roosts, but from the pictures I have seen, I don't see anyone actually doing that. I have two roosts that are both the same height...I think I have the spacing right between the two, and am ready to put a droppings board below them...probably one wide enough to catch poop from both roosts. I just am unsure how close I need to put it to the roosts so they don't stay on that, rather than the roosts. I hope this makes sense! I could always move it, and/or the roosts, but would prefer to do it right the first time.
Thanks!