Consolidated Kansas

[chicken danz]

I just hatched a bunch of new chicks. That means I'm going to have to move some others out to the brooder. Sure makes me nervous. It is warm but just the idea of loosing power or a light burning out worries me silly.

 

[KansasBoy]

You going to have to move them outside?

My babies seem to be doing okay outside, kinda surprised they all chose the three foot roost lastnight though!

 

[chicken danz]

Awww! They're so cute!

 

[KansasBoy]

That's what I thought too when I stuck my head in the chicken door to tell the good morning (yes I talk to them

)! I just had to snap a pic and share it!

 

[chicken danz]

Nice roost by the way. I need to steal your design. My chickens have knocked most of their roosts down. They are so heavy that the boards start to bend then they eventually fall from weight and gravity.

 

[KansasBoy]

Quote:
I just split 2x4's with the table saw and put the rounded edges up/out, and I think I'm going to ad a second cross support between middle and top posts! 36" wide (I think... But maybe 40"), side posts were cut at 12"/24"/36", I think they're spaced 8" (estimate). The sign i used for the base was hanging my my garage, would probably be even sturdier fixed to plywood! It only cost me three 2x4's under $8, if you substituted 3/8" plywood and just bought the 2'x4' precut it would still be under $20!

pic from build

But as you can see... Even the 5-6 week olds can reach those heights!

 

[Myabcs3]

As to roosts, the last set we built using 2x4s, but laid them flat so they roosted on the 4" side (technically 3 1/2"). After doing some research on here and talking with some of our friends, using the wider side helps in the winter so that the birds can cover their feet when they roost. Also with our large fowl birds they seem to be more stable with the wider roosts. the draw back is potential warping the center depending on the length of the roost and weight of birds. Our roosts are not that long so warping is not an issue.

I don't know if one way is better than the other and am not an expert by stretch of the imagination, but wanted to share. We have built roosts several different ways in our two coops, and I'm sure we will build them a different way the next time around.

I am forever amazed how the birds will choose the highest point they can to roost. Our 8 lb orp rooster prefers to perch about 8 ft up on a sliver of an overhang for the nesting boxes. Go figure how he gets up there and gets down...

 

[KansasBoy]

Yeah when asking on here I saw told 2x2's were best... But after building it considered the flat side of the 2x4 to be superior, I'll be watching to see how they do, but will definitely build the next one that way if it looks to be needed! And an extra center support sounds like a good idea too... I might just recycle this into the tractors I'll be putting together and make the thicker one with the added support, or just add the support... Good call though!

 

[chicken danz]

I split 2 X 4s to 2 X 2's to save money and built a thing that looks like a ladder laying flat. It worked wonderfully until the thing warped from their weight and eventually fell off the studs. I had it built all the way across the 10 foot expanse of the house. I also used a single 2 X2 as a second roost and that one came crashing down within 6 weeks from the weight. I like Aryk's design. I think you could just use 2 X 4's on the back and maybe put a few angle braces on the sides and it would be super sturdy.

 

[Katy]

I use 2x4s with the 4 inch flat to make a nice wide area for them. In my orp pens I use 2X6s for their roosts. Having a nice wide area that they don't have to grip all night and they can nestle down and cover their feet good in the winter pretty much eliminates any frostbite of their feet. 2X2s IMO aren't big enough for large fowl birds....I even use the 2X4s for my bantams.