How high should the roost be?

[INchickens]

We've built a ladder type roost, but it's not big enough for all the chickens. We want to put up another roost across the back of the coop...what is the best height ??

 

[Chirpy]

First - make sure your roosts are higher than the nest boxes. Otherwise, you'll have chickens roosting in the nest boxes.

It depends on what chickens you have as to the height. They like high roosts but if you have standards or the larger chickens then you need to make sure they have that ladder type roost so they can jump up and down on it so as not to hurt themselves. (It's more of a concern when they are getting down - they can hurt their feet/legs from jumping down.)

So, it doesn't really matter how high they are ... six feet or even eight feet is fine ... just make sure they have boards that are lower to help them get up and down.

 

[INchickens]

I have RIR, Buff Orps, Barred Rocks, and EE's. No nest boxes yet...those will come later. Am I better off building another ladder type roost, rather than a board across the back?

 

[All about the EGG]

Quote:
So you want to have a ladder style roost? I put a 2x4 at 16 inches above the floor, and the other at 3ft. They are slightly offset so they dont drop a duce on each other.

 

[Chirpy]

I'd have to see a picture to know exactly what you are talking about with the board across the back. Can the chickens use the existing ladder to get to that board?? If so ... then you're all set - add the board and they will use the ladder to get to it.

 

[4boysmom]

How big are the chickens - silkies would need them shorter than a leghorn...