How High Should the Roost be?

[OrpingtonDave]

I bought a new Chicken House and the roost is about 14-15 inches from the ground. None of my chickens would jump up on it so I put a few up there hoping the rest would get the idea. I have clipped their wings and wonder if this is the right height or do I need to lower it. Any thoughts?

 

[DIMBY]

How close are the walls to the roost? I had mine about 20 inches but one of the walls was too close and they had big-time problems dismounting. So, lowered it to about 9 inches off the floor, they immediately took to it and had no problems.

 

[CheerfulHeart2]

How old are they?

 

[OrpingtonDave]

They are about 9 monthes old

 

[ghulst]

Put the roost higher then the nest.

 

[gritsar]

My roosts are higher than my nests, but...
With the heavy breeds, like my LF brahma, you don't want to go too high. Leg injuries can occur from jumping down from too high a spot.

 

[lovinlife]

Interesting. I have a roost out in the open that my hens use in the summer that is about 3 ft above the ground. The roost they use in the winter is under a covered area and is about 4 1/2 feet above the ground. They usually jump up onto the nesting boxes (top is about 2 1/2 ft above the ground) and then onto the roost.