I need to know the laws of roosting.

[Adri]

DH is ready to make the roosts, he will be hinging the roosts to the wall so we can hook them to the ceiling when it is time to clean out the coop.

But first I need to tell him how many inches or feet of roosting space do I need per bird? How thick should the roost be? I've got some metal bars that are 3/4 of an inch just lying around, would those work if I got my DH to make a ladder out of them?

Thanks for an input.

 

[homestead5er]

I don't have my chickens yet, but I've built my coop and checked on the roost's each chicken has to have 10" of roost space, and space each roost 12" apart. don't use the medal pole's they get to cold, use 2X2's and round the corners.

 

[Anny]

How do you guys round the corners on your 2x2's?

 

[homestead5er]

They don't have to be completely round, just take off the sharp edges with a file or sandpaper

 

[lovemychicks9]

I saved myself some work and went to Lowes and bought the wooden rods that go in a closet that is 2 inches around and they come in 3 foot lenghts. They were just about as cheap as the 1 x 2's and no extra work involved. They come unfinished so you can paint if you want or use weatherseal. I just rub mine with DE every day or two and the poo comes right off.

 

[patandchickens]

Hi Adri,

Up here in Ontario you really ought to use 2x4's, with the wide side facing up, so there is a good big comfy flat surface for the feet and they can settle down and spread their tummy feathers over 'em to stay warm.

Narrower (like, 2") roosts work ok in warmer climates.

Do not use metal, you will freeze their feet off. Also 3/4" is way way too thin.

You can round off the corners of the 2x4 with a router if you have one, or a big coarse rasp if you don't. Or, honestly, as long as the lumber already has reasonably rounded (nonsharp) corners, IF you're doing it wide side up I don't think it's super important to round them off further, as only the tips of the toes curl 'round there.

8-12" of roost space per chicken, depending on their body size and how much you think they might argue. Make real sure the roost is higher up than the nest boxes, or they'll tend to roost in the nest boxes instead and you'll get pooey eggs.

Have fun,

Pat

 

[Adri]

Thanks everybody, that helps a lot! I'll plan for 30 feet total of roosting space (we have 33 chicks, but at least 5 are for meat or trade). Off to Home Depot.

 

[GranHabano]

I hate pooey eggs.

 

[chickenbyddozn]

Hi! I'm new. I have ten pullets that aren't quite laying. We have not built nesting boxes yet, however our roost is currently a saw horse...it's so cute at night they are all lined up in a row on the saw horse.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Yup here in WI we used rounded off 2x4's too. mine are just going in my new coop as I type