Helpful hints for building coops

[jvls1942]

Thank you for your info. I will go with the 2X4 with a "T" support below.

that is a good choice.

 

[Sally PB]

I went with a 2x4, edge up. I've seen my chickens hunker down and keep their feet warm with their feathers, no problem. I'd read about chickens getting a breast blister from their keel bone rubbing on wider roosts, so that's what made me decide to put it narrow side up.

 

[jvls1942]

I went with a 2x4, edge up. I've seen my chickens hunker down and keep their feet warm with their feathers, no problem. I'd read about chickens getting a breast blister from their keel bone rubbing on wider roosts, so that's what made me decide to put it narrow side up.

I never heard about those blisters. but I can understand it I guess.
birds have a tendon in their leg that clamps their toes around a branch without exerting any force from the bird. i imagine chickens have the same tendon? so a narrow edged roost would be normal .

 

[Sally PB]

I never heard about those blisters. but I can understand it I guess.

I learned about breast blisters here on BYC. People have posted a picture of a chicken's breast area, around the keel bone, asking, what is this thing sticking out of my chicken? It was a finger-sized bit of pus from the keel bone rubbing on the roost. Not really common, I guess, but it convinced me that narrow side up was better for my situation.