I don't think this will work as a roost, but not sure why?

[Mak]

My roosts are not quite like the ones you describe- I have two, but they are both at the same height. Works fine. The chickens distribute themselves on both roosts and settle down quickly.

 

[JulieZ]

We use an old ladder my husband made a long while back & it's perfect. He laid it flat, added legs & buried them legs 2 feet down. It's higher than the nesting box & the chickens love it. the only problem we have are from the ones that scream shotgun for the wall of the shed house. The love facing the wall when roosting. Think we might need to wrap another latter around the other side of the wall to stop all bickering. But yeah ... your husband, like mine, has an amazing idea when I thought for sure it would fail. Go with it ... it really does work & your babies will be happy. : )