How much overhead space for roosting perch?

[Happy Novogens]

For Orpingtons. How much space above the perch is recommended? (Ie. how close to ceiling? )

 

[Lady of McCamley]

For a larger bird such as an orpington, it is important to not have the perch very high off the floor as they are too heavy to want to fly to a high perch.

I recommend the perch about 18 to no more than 20 inches off the floor. That means enough head room for them to comfortably stand on the perch, so 12 inch clearance?

My suggestions. I'm sure the excellent coop builders on the forum will have input.

LofMc

 

[Happy Novogens]

For a larger bird such as an orpington, it is important to not have the perch very high off the floor as they are too heavy to want to fly to a high perch.

I recommend the perch about 18 to no more than 20 inches off the floor. That means enough head room for them to comfortably stand on the perch, so 12 inch clearance?

My suggestions. I'm sure the excellent coop builders on the forum will have input.

LofMc

Well shoot. My nestbox is raised a bit off the ground to keep the dogs out of the egg collecting end (which extends outside the run). I was trying to make a perch higher than the nestbox.

If I provide a gentle ramp, do you think they'd venture up to a higher roost?

 

[HumbleAmerican]

My roost is about 15" off the ceiling. Roost is about 6' off the floor. I have a stair step jungle gym in the run made with pallets. Yes they sleep on the roost in the run. They ignor the perfectly good 8x8 coop with roost bars placed just right. Hop downs are about 20-30" steps (x2). I haven't ever had an injury. My birds are BR and RIR monsters.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Just to get on the roost, as a general rule about 12" clearance above roost is needed.

Keep in mind that having ventilation higher is preferable, so you're looking at another 12-15" above that for ventilation if there's ventilation around the roost area (though depending on your specific layout and air movement patterns inside the coop, that extra clearance may not be necessary).

 

[3KillerBs]

As a general rule, once you've placed your nests you want the roosts at least a foot above the nests and the ventilation at least a foot above the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

My Little Monitor Coop was very tightly designed to those specs. You can see it here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-little-monitor-coop.76275/

In Arizona you're going to want maximum ventilation so height in the coop is your best friend: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

I set my own nests and perches for my convenience since I don't want to have to bend over with my increasing arthritis so I made a ramp, which my Brahma, who can't fly at all, uses happily.

This photo was when I built it. At this point there is deep litter halfway up the block to cushion the landing if she decides to fly down rather than walk.