Coop in Progress...looking for suggestions

[CorinneP]

I always say more than one way to Fry an Egg more than one way to build a coop : )

 

[littlechick1005]

doesnt really matter...our old chickens roosted on a 2x4 that we had in the barn, it wasnt on the flat side, it was tipped up so the skinny side was on the top...they really didnt care and were just happy to have a roost. When we seperated out roosters a couple of them enjoyed roosting on the stall doors.

 

[Christie Rhae]

Many birds have this thing that happens when they fall asleep, their feet clutch tighter to the perch. Those kind of birds like round perches.

Chickens do not have this "deeper sleep-tighter clutch" thing. They need a flat roost. In the wild they would not seek out a round skinny limb to sleep on. They would find a wider branch to plop their butts on for the night. I read that round roosts will give them back problems. Don't know if that is true cuz I never used rounds roosts...and not sure what a chicken with back problems would look like.

But that is my two cents.

Nice cozy coop! Not sure if this part got answered. Yes roosts should be higher than next boxes. They like to find the highest thing to sleep on.

 

[dltolle]

Thank you so much for all of the feedback. I'm thinking this will definitely be a work in progress type of project for quite some time...even after the chicks occupy the coop. I'm glad the shape of the roost was also brought up. I hadn't really thought that one would be better than the other.

We were planning on putting the roosts right next to the nesting boxes. 2 of them will be higher than the boxes, and one will be in the middle of the 2 levels of the boxes. I'm hoping they will still sleep in the roosts instead of the boxes, especially since we'll have the boxes blocked off for awhile.

Thanks again!

 

[dltolle]

My husband will appreciate the compliments on how its looking, so thank you for those too! He's worried its obvious that he's a rookie.

 

[birdicus7]

Not that it really matters but here in the North East I use a flat roost so the chickens can sit down on their feet and keep them from getting frostbite!

 

[dltolle]

I think we've decided to switch. If the round ones we have were thicker, we may have decided to try them out. I'm convinced they'll be happier with a thicker base to stand on. Afterall, it is where they'll sleep every single night.

Gotta keep them happy so they'll lay lots of eggs!

 

[7L Farm]

I think we've decided to switch. If the round ones we have were thicker, we may have decided to try them out. I'm convinced they'll be happier with a thicker base to stand on. Afterall, it is where they'll sleep every single night.

Gotta keep them happy so they'll lay lots of eggs!

Thats the bottom line. Keep them happy.

 

[Coop de Grille]

I have a curtain dowel, a flat 4 inch board and the rafters of the coop (which are 2x4's) and my chickens roost on all of them. I also have dish pans for nest boxes and there are two chickens that claim that spot every night. My rooster has never roosted, he huddles on the floor with two of his favorite chicks. I think it's a personal preference (the chickens!) and they will figure out where they like to roost, just give them a few options.

 

[duckinnut]

Many birds have this thing that happens when they fall asleep, their feet clutch tighter to the perch. Those kind of birds like round perches.

Chickens do not have this "deeper sleep-tighter clutch" thing. They need a flat roost. In the wild they would not seek out a round skinny limb to sleep on. They would find a wider branch to plop their butts on for the night. I read that round roosts will give them back problems. Don't know if that is true cuz I never used rounds roosts...and not sure what a chicken with back problems would look like.

But that is my two cents.

Nice cozy coop! Not sure if this part got answered. Yes roosts should be higher than next boxes. They like to find the highest thing to sleep on.

Maybe a "chicken chiropractor" will be next hot job.

I googled it and it didn't come back with anything.

I did a little research on the subject and came back with varied results so I guess there is no right or wrong way. Just never saw a 2x4 tree before.