how high off ground 4 roosts and nesting boxes

[jfoley]

setting up new coop. need to know how far off the floor to put nest boxes and roost rails. will start out w/ 6 RR reds. 6mo old hens.
found hens locally at a good price. don't have to pay shiping. converting old bird cage to ch. coop a10x10 enclosed coop tha i used to raise blue and gold mccaws in.

thanks for any help
jack foley in spring hill fl.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
My roosts are about 30" off the floor, and they have about 6' in front of them to fly off. You want them no closer to the wall than about 10" or 12". Nests can be anywhere, really, and you have plenty of floor space for 6 hens. But if you mount them (you only need two) so the bottom is a foot or more above the litter, this increases their available floor space.

 

[wsdareme]

Quote:
My roosts are about 30" off the floor, and they have about 6' in front of them to fly off. You want them no closer to the wall than about 10" or 12". Nests can be anywhere, really, and you have plenty of floor space for 6 hens. But if you mount them (you only need two) so the bottom is a foot or more above the litter, this increases their available floor space.

X 2. And make sure your roosts are higher than your nest boxes, or they'll roost in the nest boxes and make a terrible mess!

 

[onthespot]

My roosts are about 18" off the ground. I'm sure my chickens wish they were higher, but they use them. I don't want to have to bend over to far or step up to high to get around to clean. Also, cut bumblefoot injuries down to about zero. I have several larger, heavy breeds that may be prone to bumblefoot. Not taking any chances. Low roost and shavings to land on = zero bumblefoot so far.

 

[Chickmate]

Quote:
My brand new coop has roosts that are approx. 5 feet off the ground. Sounds like this might be too high? Someone else mentioned possible internal injuries (liver) from jumping down from that height as well? I know they like to roost high and I wanted to keep them from roosting in the nest boxes, but never considered they might hurt themselves due to height. Do you think I need to lower them?

 

[onthespot]

I would, but I have some heavy and valuable birds and just don't want to be bothered treating stuff. I'd rather prevent it and have dorky low set roosts with my chickens every now and then looking up and sighing... LOL.

Some heavy breeds like Jersey Giants, English Orpingtons, Coronation Sussex, and some of the bigger Marans, just too valuable and heavy to risk on higher roosts, for me. I know other people have high roosts. I won't chance it. No plus side for me, and definite downside if they get hurt. I lose money and since I keep my chickens in another city, it is extremely inconvenient for me to go treat a bird. Better they stay healthy and safe.

If you have smaller, lighter built birds, probably doesn't matter. I know my Ameraucanas are practically able to fly anywhere they want to. LOL. I doubt they would be hurt by a roost like yours. Same with many bantam breeds. When a bird is heavy and lands on the ground from up high, they can bruise their feet, and over and over, it causes tissue to die, sometimes from the inside out, so once it shows, your bird is toast before you ever try like crazy to save it.

 

[eds500]

My roosts are installed 19" above the floor but the pine bedding decreases the distance.

My nest boxes are floor level though I have a piece of 5/4 decking that separates the main room from the nesting areas.

All 6 hens sleep on the roosts comfortably. The only time one hen tried to sleep in a nest box was the first night in the house though I moved the hen from the nest box to the roost and haven't had problems since.

 

[3crazychicksOH]

eds500,
love your coop....very nice!

the pics are helpful too!
thanks for the post

 

[schmism]

roosts in my coupe are always overhead. There is a roost about 16" below the ceiling. I attached another board directly to the floor joists and the girls love to roost in the cubbies between the joists. This also keeps them out of reach of some predators. (coons and opossums can climb but fox, etc cant)

I have a few other smaller roosts spread around usually in the corners that the girls use to hop from roost to roost to get up. to get down most just jump from the top and use wings (we do not cut wings)

We like being able to move around under the roosts when it comes time to clean out the deep litter.

 

[Lindayoshi]

My roosts are installed 19" above the floor but the pine bedding decreases the distance.

My nest boxes are floor level though I have a piece of 5/4 decking that separates the main room from the nesting areas.

All 6 hens sleep on the roosts comfortably. The only time one hen tried to sleep in a nest box was the first night in the house though I moved the hen from the nest box to the roost and haven't had problems since.

How do your chickens get up to the roosts? Do you have a ramp installed for them, or are they able to fly up to them? I just rebuilt my coop to accommodate more chickens and have a lot more space now, but wasn't sure how to set up the roosts and nesting boxes. I was planning on putting my nesting boxes on the floor, but see that it is suggested to elevated them off the ground. Have you had any issues with your nesting boxes being directly on the floor?

Thanks,
Linda