Do I need a roost?

[pweaver]

Well, I've read a bit here, and it seems that most people think a roost is necessary. So, I guess my question is....how to I make one inside the coop area for at night? I have an idea for in the run, but..........

I have 5 chickens and my current coop is a 4'x8' raised chicken tractor (a triangle design). The inside of the coop seems small to me, and I'm not sure how to fit a roost for them at night. My thoughts so far include just creating something that's 4-6 inches off the bottom of the coop, because with the slanted roof, headroom might become an issue.

Ideas, please!!!

 

[eponagirl]

Maybe someone here can help you with the "how to" in your situation, but I will tell you they really are happier roosting...best thing is to use a 2x3 or 2x4 (you choose the length and how high off the floor with your limited space) with the flat side up...they do not like a round bar like parrots. They warm their feet if they can sit on a flat bar.

Hope that helps some!

Edited to add, pic's of your coop would help if possible

 

[elmo]

Most chickens like to roost. There are some breeds (like Silkies) that tend not to like it as much as others, and then there are also individual preferences. As a chicken keeper, I like my birds to roost at night because it means their night time poop can be collected in a tray beneath them for easy disposal. If your chickens aren't roosting, but sitting in the bedding, do you find that they're sitting in piles of their own poo in the morning?

I agree with you about the design issue for A frame type coops. Maybe someone who has this kind of coop can jump in and say how they've solved this problem.

 

[FiveHens]

I would give them a roost. They really like it too sleep on at night...it makes them feel safe.

We found a few nice, sturdy, straight tree branches approx. 2" in diameter and fastened them across the inside of the coop, at two heights.

They all get up on the top one and look out the window...we could also make them high enough (lowest 2 feet up) so that they could use the space underneath them, too, as is necessary in a small coop. They probably wouldn't mind one a little closer to the ground, either.

I would definitely put it inside the coop for safety, and because it'll be where they sleep. That means you can also put a removable poop board beneath it...chickens poop a ton when they sleep!

For your coop, you could do one roost all the way down the center (lots of headroom) or a few across, probably.

Good luck!

 

[catdaddy66]

If you have laying hens then the roost needs to be higher than the nest box is, but not a lot higher. If the nests are the same height or higher, they will sleep in the nests instead of the roosts! This can get messy!

 

[patandchickens]

Will they curl up and die without it? No. Will they be WAY happier with it, and more willing to take advantage of the considerable *safety* of the indoor housing at night? Definitely yes.

If they get to sleeping outside, you are just baiting up predators, *challenging* them to break into your run.

6" off the floor is fine. It'll keep 'em up off the poo, and let 'em pretend to be birds

Good luck, have fun,

Pat