Hen no longer roosting

[Nasnro]

I’d also make sure roosting bars are 18 inches away from wall and each other. Plenty of space about 10 inches per bird and no more than 30 inches high is the standard recommendation for comfortable roosting.

I give them plenty of perch space yet they all cuddle up together

 

[Melky]

Mine do too!

 

[Acre4Me]

no more than 30 inches high

I’ve never seen this before - maybe if they can only jump down onto the floor? If there is a chicken walkway/ramp or sufficient space for them to fly down and land safely, a roost can be higher than 30”. We have a ladder style and the lowest rung is about 12” off ground, the highest is about 48” high, but they can fly up, hop down the rungs, etc.

 

[aart]

I’ve never seen this before - maybe if they can only jump down onto the floor? If there is a chicken walkway/ramp or sufficient space for them to fly down and land safely, a roost can be higher than 30”. We have a ladder style and the lowest rung is about 12” off ground, the highest is about 48” high, but they can fly up, hop down the rungs, etc.

Ehhh...the 30" is no rule of thumb I've seen either....roost height depends on several variables of coop configuration.

 

[Melky]

I’ve never seen this before - maybe if they can only jump down onto the floor? If there is a chicken walkway/ramp or sufficient space for them to fly down and land safely, a roost can be higher than 30”. We have a ladder style and the lowest rung is about 12” off ground, the highest is about 48” high, but they can fly up, hop down the rungs, etc.

Roosts higher than 30 inches put them at risk for keel bone injuries.

 

[aart]

Roosts higher than 30 inches put them at risk for keel bone injuries.

Do you mean if they jump that far.....with severely clipped wings....and land on concrete?
That's why they need room to fly down.

 

[Melky]

It doesn’t have to be concrete floor to happen. I just heed caution provided by experts. Chickens are mainly ground animals not meant to fly at great heights. Mine do not have clipped wings and do not fly very high couple feet at most. Most are not flighty and besides safety as a factor can not comfortably get to roosts therefore may not use them only point here.

 

[aart]

I just heed caution provided by experts.

Please cite your source.

 

[Melky]

I’ve never seen this before - maybe if they can only jump down onto the floor? If there is a chicken walkway/ramp or sufficient space for them to fly down and land safely, a roost can be higher than 30”. We have a ladder style and the lowest rung is about 12” off ground, the highest is about 48” high, but they can fly up, hop down the rungs, etc.

This protects the bird from keel bone injuries.

Please cite your source.

Here are a few good articles discussing it with specific recommendations:
https://www.communitychickens.com/rules-of-the-roost/

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/keel-bone-injuries