Interesting how you can get so many differing opinions on something like this. I wonder how many people have actually seen a case of frostbite on chicken’s feet or actually know of a specific case instead of just “THEY say you have to do this”?
Bluebirdnanny, that’s an interesting question on bumblefoot. Bumblefoot is an infection, usually from a cut or splinter. I wouldn’t think the shape of the perch or roost would make any difference but I can’t say for absolute certainty. I do suggest anyone that uses lumber for roosts should sand off the sharp edges, not so much to make it comfortable for their feet as to remove splinters.
Try your experiment but may I suggest a couple of changes. Add a 2x4 with narrow side up as well as wide side up. And mix them up occasionally so you are checking the roost width and not the location of the window for preference. I’ve tried a couple of short-term experiments like that and found that mine pretty much prefer location they are used to over roost type. But you may get different results. And if you try it yourself, it’s not some stranger over the internet telling you something.
To me, perching is what they do during the daytime, resting on something at heights. Roosting is what they do at night. Just so I’m clear on what I’m saying. Yesterday I saw a 16 week old cockerel perching on a 3/8” wide piece of plywood I use as a door on a small isolation coop. I’ve seen young chickens roost on things pretty narrow but nothing that extreme.
Fawn and Fam, I don’t see anything wrong with your using a 2x4 with the flat side up, just round off the corners to make sure the splinters are gone. That way you don’t have to worry about who is right. I use tree branches with some ends smaller than the 1-1/2” width of a 2x4. Some of mine roost on those smaller ends even in winter. But my coldest nights are normally just a few degrees below zero Fahrenheit. I’m sure your winters get colder than that.
Good luck!
