Help with roosting 'posts.'

[fshinggrl]

OK, I heard that roosts should not be completely circular like a dowel for a closet. Did I hear correctly? If so, is the long side of a 2x4 a good alternative?

 

[DarkWolf]

Yup... Most people say to use a 2x4 with the x4 facing up. This is especially true for those in colder climates as it allows the birds to hunker down over their feet, which helps prevent frostbite. Either way, chickens don't roost by grasping with their talons. It's more of a balancing act.

 

[fshinggrl]

Thank you!!!

 

[DarkWolf]

My pleasure...

Also, since we're on the subject of roosts and just to make sure you're aware... They need 10-12" board inches of roost space per bird, depending on the size of the breed.

 

[fshinggrl]

Quote:
So you are saying that I need about 12 feet of roosting space for my 13 chickens? That seems like a LOT!!! (forgive me, I'm still learning!)

 

[emilyweck]

Quote:
So you are saying that I need about 12 feet of roosting space for my 13 chickens? That seems like a LOT!!! (forgive me, I'm still learning!)

I'm curious about this too. I have plenty of roosting room for my chickens and all 4 seem to scrunch together on a 2 foot roost.

 

[joedie]

Mine is 4 ft wide built like a ladder with 5 rungs across which doesn't take up alot of space and can hold up to 20 birds. I used 8 ft 2x4's for the sides and the rungs or roosts.

 

[flopshot]

Quote:
So you are saying that I need about 12 feet of roosting space for my 13 chickens? That seems like a LOT!!! (forgive me, I'm still learning!)

yes. one foot per bird. this way they can all crowd down to one end taking up apx 2 1/2 feet of roost. if you made the total roost 2 1/2 feet they would be quite upset. you see, it has to be their idea otherwise it's wrong.

 

[DarkWolf]

Quote:
So you are saying that I need about 12 feet of roosting space for my 13 chickens? That seems like a LOT!!! (forgive me, I'm still learning!)

yes. one foot per bird. this way they can all crowd down to one end taking up apx 2 1/2 feet of roost. if you made the total roost 2 1/2 feet they would be quite upset. you see, it has to be their idea otherwise it's wrong.

LOL.. That's basically it... Gives them shuffling room, I guess, so they can easily get up onto the roosts and then compact themselves together.

You can get away with 8-10" though, for sure.

Far as setting up roost space, some people go with the ladder approach, some with two roosts parallel and 12" apart.

So if your coop is 6' wide, just need two 6' 2x4's set up like this, 12" apart and 12" from the wall.

----w-a-l-l---
--r-o-o-s-t--
--r-o-o-s-t--

 

[journey11]

Ditto on the 2x4, wide side up--but to add to that--even better, round off the top two corner angles. This will conform best to the shape of their feet (not hurt when their feet cling to it). I have a friend who swears this has made his hens lay better, because they sleep sounder.

Another (cheaper) option, also works well, is to get some nice, straight hickory saplings, 3 to 4 inches in diameter. As the sapling dries, the bark becomes very, very hard and as the chickens walk on it, it even gets glossy. Easy to clean (or just replace). This is what I use. Other trees would probably be fine too, but I like the hickory for strength and the tight bark doesn't give mites a place to hide.