Location of Rooting Bar?

[Disintegrate]

Howdy,

I’m designing my coop around this coop with some modifications, but with the same basic design. That is, the nesting area, door & small run will basically be the same.

We live in the Pacific Northwest & the largest predators should be opossums, skunks and other city dwelling animals as we live close to a green area/small section of forest. The yard is fenced, so neighborhood dogs should not be an issue.

Should I put a roosting bar inside the nest box area (higher than the next boxes) for them at night or should it be outside in the area protected by the hardware cloth or both, so they can make up their mind based on what they like.

The chickens will have free range of the yard during the day.

Thanks

 

[Harrietsmum]

Yes you need roosts inside, and I would put one outside if you possibly can. Make a poop tray to go under the inside roost to make cleaning easier for you. I empty mine into the compost bin every morning, means very little mess in the coop.