It is all about the Roost! size matter?

[Bigbluefrog]

I am curious what is the best Roost?

2x4s, 2x3s,

A foot per bird! I learned it must be above the nests or they will sleep in the nesting box.

I made that mistake already. I might be over thinking this but I am redoing my roosts for a 4 th time! Augh! And I have to crawl into this oversized box coop. Perfect for chicks but way too small for me!
Currently I have 2x3s narrow side up. In a metal u shape so I can remove them easily.
I am tempted to turn them so the bigger side is up.
Will they poop on the roost if it is bigger?
The picture is after I changed it the second time! Then I lowered the roost so they could hop up. That one was too high for some without a stool. my coop is 4.5 by 6.5 feet.
I have 2 -4.5 ft roosts at equal height for 7 pullets.

After moving it lower -4 birds moved into the nests! So now I will close off nests as they are lower! And make roosts wider to retrain birds

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Currently I have 2x3s narrow side up.

Wide side up is preferred according to my experience.

Once in a while the roost will get a dropping here or there... but it doesn't usually build up. Both my large fowl and bantams do great with the either 3 or 4 inch wide roosts.

 

[Bigbluefrog]

I saw a few coops on here with a few 2x4 s for roosting.

I did put 2 new roosts in but the New Hampshire want to sleep in the nest boxes. So I closed off several and found them roosting on the little lip I have for the nests. I don’t know why they won’t use the 2 Nd roost.

 

[aart]

I moved the roosts halfway between nests. Now the chickens are sleeping in it.

Pics?
Nest cover might do the trick.

 

[Folly's place]

I use saplings or tree limbs, bark on, 2" to 3" diameter.
It's more about location and flock dynamics, IMO. More roosting space is always better, so there are choices, and no crowding. Some birds just want the right spot, and if they are high in the social order, that's what they get. Lower status birds get what's left, and everyone wants a buddy nearby too.
Mary

 

[Bigbluefrog]

Update:
All the pullets are roosting on the new roost!

I put something to block all the nest boxes! LOL
They do like to have a buddy!
All on one roost, the new roost is just a launch board!
Thanks for the info!
Happy I don’t need to climb inside again!!!

 

[Bigbluefrog]

All the nests are blocked!
That worked! So maybe once they get established at roosting I can remove nest blocks

 

[Folly's place]

Sounds good!

 

[aart]

Update:
All the pullets are roosting on the new roost!

I put something to block all the nest boxes! LOL
They do like to have a buddy!
All on one roost, the new roost is just a launch board!
Thanks for the info!
Happy I don’t need to climb inside again!!!

Did you end up moving them again or leave them about the half the height of nest?

 

[Bigbluefrog]

Did you end up moving them again or leave them about the half the height of nest?

I left them halfway. Because some couldn’t jump as high and if I left it higher I would need a step for them.
So far it is working perfectly.
All nest boxes are closed now.

I will open them when I see them laying. Winter is a coming