How to notch a 2x4 as a roof stud or perch

[TalkALittle]

Personally, I like the idea of an easily removable (without the need for tools) roost. I can replace it or remove it if needed. Getting the roosts out of the way makes coop cleanouts much easier. My roost is a 2x4 cut to the width of my coop and resting in "brackets" made from notched 2x4 pieces.

I'd be inclined to not screw the branches in place but to notch out the 2x4 as the OP initially mentioned. Alternatively just make the horizontal "arms" two 2x4s thick but cut the top one in two pieces and leave a gap for the branch to rest in. Or drill some holes in the top surface of the 2x4 arms and insert some dowels that cradle the roost and prevent it from sliding along the 2x4 but allow it to be lifted up and removed if needed.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Personally, I like the idea of an easily removable (without the need for tools) roost. I can replace it or remove it if needed. Getting the roosts out of the way makes coop cleanouts much easier. My roost is a 2x4 cut to the width of my coop and resting in "brackets" made from notched 2x4 pieces.

I'd be inclined to not screw the branches in place but to notch out the 2x4 as the OP initially mentioned. Alternatively just make the horizontal "arms" two 2x4s thick but cut the top one in two pieces and leave a gap for the branch to rest in. Or drill some holes in the top surface of the 2x4 arms and insert some dowels that cradle the roost and prevent it from sliding along the 2x4 but allow it to be lifted up and removed if needed.

I'll give this some thought when I build the roost today, thank you.

It's a small coop, so accessibility is important, especially since I badly hurt my lower back recently. I'm self-treating from some chiropractic videos I've watched, and it's working wonders, but the prospects of a re-injury and torquing my back just to clean underneath the roosts is something I need to think about.

 

[cavemanrich]

There is more than one way to skin a cat. I have personally never skinned one even the most traditional method.
Everyone here is adding really great IDEAS.
I thought I just add to the pool... not everyone knows what Manzanita branches look like.

They are beautiful irregular works of ART. They do need to be secured in place so chickens do not resort to doing the HIGH WIRE ACT...
One way to keep in place and easy removable is a set of these..

 

[jthornton]

I hate Pinterest. It's ruined me for life.

When you do a google search you can say some search term -pinterest.com and that place does not show up in the results. I hate it as well.

JT

 

[ScottandSam]

When you do a google search you can say some search term -pinterest.com and that place does not show up in the results. I hate it as well.

JT

I refuse to look land click on a image on pinterest.there is plenty of other images out there.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

When you do a google search you can say some search term -pinterest.com and that place does not show up in the results. I hate it as well.

JT

Fantastic to know ... thank you!!!

 

[Sunshine Flock]

There is more than one way to skin a cat. I have personally never skinned one even the most traditional method.
Everyone here is adding really great IDEAS.
I thought I just add to the pool... not everyone knows what Manzanita branches look like.
View attachment 1197947
They are beautiful irregular works of ART. They do need to be secured in place so chickens do not resort to doing the HIGH WIRE ACT...
One way to keep in place and easy removable is a set of these..

Boy do I need a good set of clamps. I've always wanted some and could never manage to set aside the funds. And I so need a proper chop saw. I use a circular saw and never get perfect cuts and rely on the sander way too much to correct my mistakes.

 

[cavemanrich]

They are not very expensive. Here is a link.
https://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&order=EAScore,f,EAFeatured+Weight,f,Sale+Rank,f&q=c+clamps
I usually get them even for less since I get their flyers
in the mail and they usually have a certain size on sale. I have assorted sizes since I always tinker with something, and it is like an EXTRA HAND..

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Gotta love harbour freight. This years favorite bargains were their power painter and a grinder i paid a whopping 14 dollars for. It cuts hardware cloth like butter, rounds off a 2x4s sharp edges in a second, shaves down sticky doors, heck I've trimmed horse hooves with it, no wrist strain and 60 seconds a foot. The switch on it is junky but not junky enough to wish I'd spent 150!

I know manzanita is really hard but I bet a grinder would get you a flat spot really fast.

 

[ScottandSam]

This how I cut straight ends on a 2x4 up to about 2x8. Left hand holding square tight to the egde of the board. Then when i cut i watch the saw plate to fence and keep it tight to the square that is now a fence.

For plywood I use a 9' piece of angle iron and clamps on each end.it takes a little to set it up cause the angle won't be siting on your cut mark. When you line it up the ride against the fence and your blade on the cut mark. Also I always try to position which side I cut from and make the plate under the motor side be against the fence. It keeps the saw sitting flat.
I also have miter saw and Table saw but sometimes the skill saw there and hooked up. Just be careful. The skill saw is dangerous.
Scott