Is 5 ft. too high for roosts?

[tomato lady]

I am remodeling my old goat barn into a chicken coop. The building is about 12 ft. high on one side and 10 ft. high on the other side (shed style roof).

There is a half wall that I put in when we had the goats. It is 8' long and divides the main part of the building at about 1/3 the length. I originally used that smaller section to store hay, straw, and grain.

The half wall is 5' high and is topped with a 2 x 4 (flat side up). If I leave the half wall up I am sure the chickens would roost on it. Is it too high for them? I have a cement floor and I don't want any of the girls to break a leg getting down.

If I leave it up I will build more roosts near it because 8' of roost is not enough for my 31 chickens.

If I need to take it down because it is too high, then I have to start from scratch building my roosts.

I do have to get busy because my oldest girls are already 15 weeks! I want them all settled in their new coop before it is time for eggs!

Thanks.

 

[sandy sea]

I would leave it up and add other roosts at different heights. I have roosts that start at 2 and a half foot and go up. Most of my chickens sit on the wood braces that hold the roof up, I did not plan on that, but that is where they all sit. They either fly up towards the roof or jump from roost to roost to reach the top. It must be well over 8 feet high.

 

[newchicksnducks]

The 5' roosts should not be too high...many chickens roost in trees. But you may want to build lower roosts near it. I've heard that many of the heavier breeds can get leg issues from the pressure of landing down on the floor when leaving a high roost. If you have staired roosts, they can hop down to the lower roost before going to the floor.

 

[cindyanne1]

I agree with the PP's... leave it as it is and add some lower roosts also.

 

[the 412 chicks]

this list is totally new to me. I am looking to buying a few laying hens in Fremont Ohio or near by [email protected]. Kay

 

[tomato lady]

Thanks for the suggestions. It will be easier to leave the half wall and add roosts. I will stair step them for easy access for the chickens.

I am getting close to done now (except for the run). I will post before and after pictures when I get it finished.

I was so lucky. I found a window (even double pain) that is 30" high and 60" wide. It has a screen and slider so I can add some air flow on hot days. Screen will keep the chickens in and I will close it every night to secure against preditors. What a find that was! I also found a piece of glass that I am going to use for a stationary window (26" x 26"). These were treasures among the junk we had collected in that old goat barn.

I am very excited to get this done and I am sure the chickens would be excited too if they only knew.

 

[NotTheMomma]

Not too high! My roosts are taller than I am, and I'm 5'11''!! They perch up there above my head and look down at me. Scary at times. LOL!

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Mine are about 5' high and they love it..I also have another about 3' so they tend to jump on that one and then down to the floor. I think higher roosts may lead to bumblefoot if they are jumping to a harder surface like dirt rather then a bedding like straw/pine shavings.

 

[Whitehouse Quail]

I finally got fed up with trying to get my chickens to roost on the roost I spent so much time on, so then at night I just plopped them all on it. They now are up there every night. Just an idea to get them used to a five foot roost?

 

[LynneP]

...and the rule is the bigger the hens the lower the roosts, to prevent injury...mine are 2.5' with very deep bedding and planks below.