How high should roost be

[eggcited2]

The chicks are going outside next weekend (finally). They will be 8 weeks old at that time. The chicken house is ready for them (except for nesting boxes).

How high should the roosts be in the chick house at 8 weeks old. Same as adult or a bit lower?


Later we will be putting in 4 nest boxes (with in a couple weeks after chicks go out) and I know those are to be lower than the roosts. And slanted tops so the birds don't set on top of the nest boxes. I have seen people have open nest boxes, and that is what we had when I was a kid. Are those still ok, or do they have to be closed in with a top? By open nest box, I am talking: sides, of course bottom, a small board across the front so the nest material nor eggs get drug out, just no roof on the boxes.

I have 10 pullets and one roo.

 

[muddyhorse]

we build our roosts using the deck lumber at home depo they have pieces that are notched to hold the uprights on the railings ( PROVIDES EXTRA SUPPORT FOR THE FATTIES). we use those and skip two in between each . that way they have a variety of choices. It costs about $12 my silkies sleep in a pile on the ground, the LF cochin on the bottom rung, the layers in the middle and the game hen as high as she can get. for nesting A 12X12 box is good but mine still fight over who gets to use the 5 gallon bucket on its side. one will only lay in a bucket calf feeder on the wall.

 

[midget_farms]

Your birds are too young to roost - they will naturally start sleeping on the roost as they get older - but for now they will sleep in a pile on the floor no matter the roost hight.

If it were me I'd set up the coop for adult birds & not worry too much about them at this ages as they probably wont use it.

That said - most people set 2 heights for the perch - the first at 18 inches to 2 ft off the ground the second at 3ft high. Adult birds will go as high as they can. They will hop onto the lower one & then jump to the higher one.

Hope this helps.