Horizontal ladder roost - how long and how many rungs?

[09northernchick]

At the moment we have 9 pullets. Is there are formula for determining the size of a roost? How long and how many rungs would you make for 9 birds? And probably thinking of a few more in the future of course

 

[DarkWolf]

10-12 linear inches of roost space per standard size bird... 5-8 for bantams.

 

[crazyhen]

All your chickens will want to roost on the top roost. If not long enough they will fight over it no matter how many rungs on the roost. If I ever built again I would give one and one-half foot for my large chickens on the top rung then no fighting. I would build my coop long so I could acommadate a larger num. We always want just a few more .LOL Gloria Jean

 

[09northernchick]

Great thanks!

It is all going to be horizontal, no angle at all. I'm thinking about putting my row of nest boxes about 20" off the ground. So would the roosts be a good height at 25"? The coop is 9x12 and it will be going along the 12' wall. They would be able to fly up to 25" with a width of a 9'coop without problem right?

I'm working on these today so I REALLY appreciate your help and experience! My girls REALLY need to get out of their cardboard box condo in my laundry room

 

[patandchickens]

If it is going to be horizontal then there is no point in using a ladder.

You will get zero benefit from the rungs. Chickens take up a certain amount of space, and you can't fully pack the rails *and* rungs both.

Two 2x4s or tree branches would work a lot better and allow you to save the ladder for some purpose where it could be *useful*, as a ramp up to the roost or just for 'habitat enrichment' in the run.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat