I use 2x4's with the wide side up. In the Winter when they roost their feet are protected by their feathers. I don't use poop boards. One of my roosts is above me nesting boxes so I scrape them off every couple days. Sometimes I put pine shavings on top of the nest boxes which makes clean-up easier. I guess you could say my nest boxes are poop boards.
If they free range all the time, even during the Winter, I wouldn't worry too much about coop space. I've heard 4 sq ft. per bird, but mine all cram in together, regardless of the amount of space or temparature.
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Why not have several small roosts, the same height to avoid fights so Crabby can sit where and with who she pleases?
I think she would then "own" all of the roosts! Right now she only cares about the highest one and it is plenty big (about 6 feet long) but she will only let the two other barred rocks onto it. We have a round pen and the roosts are staggered so that we can have more roost space and they can jump from the lowest roost to the highest roost. I'm thinking I will just put a smaller roost a little higher than our highest roost and maybe she will move to it leaving more room for the rest of the birds. Ms. Crabby may end up with a new home if she doesn't get over her crabbiness after all these babies grow up, I'm hoping that she just doesn't like them because they are smaller than her... maybe a rooster will help sort things out too. I just know her and don't think she will change and if we had 5 coops she would run crazy all day worrying about who is in each coop and what they may have to eat that she doesn't have
If they free range all the time, even during the Winter, I wouldn't worry too much about coop space. I've heard 4 sq ft. per bird, but mine all cram in together, regardless of the amount of space or temparature.
