I just read on here to use 2x4s for roosts?

[jreardon1918]

I should add, there are a couple natural branches in the run. They like them as well.

 

[The Moonshiner]

Chickens aren't like song birds and such they don't clinch onto their perches. 2X4s are recommended because its a wider and flatter surface which makes it easier to balance on. Of course natural limbs and dowels etc will also work.
If you're going the natural route bigger is better then smaller.
I personally have nothing against round perches but would not use the smaller ones that come in little prefab coops.

 

[Relleoms]

I use 2x4’s, 2” side up. After cleaning out the coop in preparation for winter, I turned the one they usually use to the 4” side up thinking it would help them keep their toes warmer. Wrong! After 2 nights of so much chicken drama, I returned them to their original position and all was right in the coop again

 

[wildwestcoast]

I use 2×4s and all the birds like it, even the bantams. 4 inch side up. I have tried Dowling but they didnt use it. Maybe because the 2x4s were higher

 

[MissChick@dee]

I use 2x4’s flat side up just for the reason you stated. I have a tiny prefab and made a addition and replaced the perches. Birds love the laying on their feet especially in winter.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Try both and see what they prefer

I experimented. I started with a 2x2. I am now using a 2x3. They prefer the 2x3.

Here is a GREAT article where a fellow BYCer @True Patriot did a terrific job with roosts:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-perch-experiment.74272/

Hope this helps!

 

[aart]

I use 2x4’s, 2” side up. After cleaning out the coop in preparation for winter, I turned the one they usually use to the 4” side up thinking it would help them keep their toes warmer. Wrong! After 2 nights of so much chicken drama, I returned them to their original position and all was right in the coop again

Chickens don't like change.....takes more than 2 days for some to acclimate.

I've always used 2x4's wide side up, works fine...some stuff doesn't need to be sweated.

 

[Melky]

I thought they need to cling to a smaller bar but an article on here says they like to sit flat footed so their breasts can rest on their feet. I just use the bars that come with the prefab coops. What do you all do? Is this just a suggestion for winter?

I use two inch bar that came with my coop. 2-4 inches for a roosting bar is typical. Some use short 2 inch side and some use 4 inch wide side. Mine like to curl their feet around for balance and this matches the natural curl of the foot so they have done fine with that. Roosts should be 10 inch of space per bird. No higher than 30 inches. At least, 18 inch apart and from walls so do not poop on walls, each other, and enough room for larger birds.

 

[Shadrach]

https://www.vencomaticgroup.com/en/products/layers/housing-solutions/q-perch

Here is a GREAT article where a fellow BYCer @True Patriot did a terrific job with roosts:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-perch-experiment.74272/

 

[Ridgerunner]

I thought they need to cling to a smaller bar but an article on here says they like to sit flat footed so their breasts can rest on their feet. I just use the bars that come with the prefab coops. What do you all do? Is this just a suggestion for winter?

It might be informative to check out that link to the article by @True Patriot . I think it shows pretty well that that people care about this a lot more than the chickens do. That experiment has nothing to so with how healthy one way is compared to another, it is simply a test of what chickens prefer.

If you read different posts in this thread or others on here you will find that different people have different opinions as to what is best. Some of those opinions can be pretty strong on all sides. Some people will show diagrams of bones, tendons, and muscles to demonstrate how the chickens' lock their claws around a perch so they don't fall off. They might talk about how if the leg bends when it squats the claws lock in place. I've bent chickens' legs, they don't automatically lock in place. Some will talk about how chickens cannot bend their toes to grip like other birds. If you believe that let a baby chick perch on your finger or an older one on your wrist to see if they can grip. I even read on here a few years back where someone said chickens were ground dwelling birds so of course they never roosted in trees and need something flat to sleep on. That one is a hard one to forget.

I'll give my opinion. It's all it is, my opinion. I don't have any deep scientific experiments or fancy diagrams to prove my opinion. If you give them something flat to roost on, like a 2x4 or 2x8 flat side up or the top of a nest, they will use that and be happy. If you turn a 2x4 narrow side up they will be happy with that. If you use something round like a tree branch they will be happy to use that, but in my opinion a little bigger is better than something too small in diameter.

Some people are convinced that if you don't give them something flat to roost on their feet will get frostbite in winter, they need to squat on something flat to cover their feet with their feathers. I've seen mine squat on tree branches in winter on some fairly small tree branches. When they squat and fluff up, their toes disappear in their feathers. The coldest I've seen chickens roost like that was a few degrees below zero Fahrenheit, I have not seen them at 40 below zero C or F. I did not see any problems with frostbite but my coop is well ventilated which could have an effect since it stays dry. I don't have experience with how cold they can stand. I think the coop ventilation and breeze protection might have a big influence on that.

I don't know what roosts came with that prefab coop. If you wish to replace then with something bigger or flatter I don't see any downside to that. I don't know how necessary that is either.