How wide should roosting bars be for standard-size chickens?

[Brizi]

How wide should roosting bars be for standard-size chickens?

I keep seeing completely different answers to this question. I thought the flat side of a 2x4 would be fine (3.5"), but I see a lot of people using thinner roosts. What do y'all use?

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

I use a square 2 by 2 or a wooden railing for stairwells. They likes the rounded better but then i had to get a new one and it hasnt gone in yet, so they have learned the square one is the same.

 

[Jenbirdee]

I am using a sawhorse for 2 hens its like a 2x4 on top but a little wider near the edges

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

I use the flat side of a 2x4 (3.5 inches in reality), but some of my bigger girls hook their toes around the edge; They have thick legs and giant feet. No harm so far, but this Spring I will switch to a 2x6 (5.5 inches on flat side).

 

[Kiki]

How wide should roosting bars be for standard-size chickens?

I keep seeing completely different answers to this question. I thought the flat side of a 2x4 would be fine (3.5"), but I see a lot of people using thinner roosts. What do y'all use?

I use a 2x4.

 

[nuthatched]

I use a 2x3, flat side up. I rounded the edges on it. As you can see, there's lots of options. I wouldn't go narrower than an inch and a half, personally.

 

[RubelliteRose]

We use 2x4s flat side up.

 

[David61]

A flat 2x4 because its easy and ready to use. I have a 2x2 supporting the roost 2x4. They do use it sometimes but not much.