Minimum measurements for Sussex

[Henrik Petersson]

Hello!

I am planning on getting five Sussex hens plus one Sussex rooster (all of the large variety). However, I would like to know:

1. The minimum total roost length required.
2. The minimum roost diameter required (we have 2" by 3" beams lying around - will they do if I i round off their corners?).
3. The minimum distance from roost to wall, roost to ceiling, plus roost to roost.
4. The maximum height of the roost.
5. The minimum length of side of nest, width of nest, and height of nest.
6. Minimum number of nests (will two do? I do not plan on letting the hens brood).
7. Minimum with of poop board - how far from the roost does it have to protrude?

Sussex are a large breed. Here are their weights from Wikipedia:


Cock 4.1 kg 9 lbs
Hen 3.2 kg 7 lbs
Cockerel 3.4 kg 7.5 lbs
Pullet 2.7 kg 5.9 lbs

Thank you! / Henrik

 

[citychickx6]

Hello!

I am planning on getting five Sussex hens plus one Sussex rooster (all of the large variety). However, I would like to know:

1. The minimum total roost length required.
I try to give at least 12 inches wide for each bird regardless of size when grown.

2. The minimum roost diameter required (we have 2" by 3" beams lying around - will they do if I i round off their corners?).
Mine are made of 2x3's and work well with the 3 side being the up side.

3. The minimum distance from roost to wall, roost to ceiling, plus roost to roost.
I put mine at 12 inches to the wall and I do not end up with a lot of poo on the walls.

4. The maximum height of the roost.
Mine are at 33 inches from the floor and my larger birds needed something to hop down onto in order to be more comfortable getting down.

5. The minimum length of side of nest, width of nest, and height of nest.
I made my nests too large at 16 wide, 16 deep and 18 tall. I am redoing them to 16x16x15 since I have large birds. ( I do see up to 3 hens in the box at the same time) I am also going to be putting them protruding outside the coop. I have also got a coop with a 12x12x14 nest box and even the BO lays there.

6. Minimum number of nests (will two do? I do not plan on letting the hens brood).
I think 2 will work since I have 6 hens that use one box without an issue.

7. Minimum with of poop board - how far from the roost does it have to protrude?
Mine are from the wall to 8 inches past the roost and there is little "overshoot".

Sussex are a large breed. Here are their weights from Wikipedia:


Cock 4.1 kg 9 lbs
Hen 3.2 kg 7 lbs
Cockerel 3.4 kg 7.5 lbs
Pullet 2.7 kg 5.9 lbs

Thank you! / Henrik

I hope that helps some.

 

[Henrik Petersson]

I hope that helps some.

Indeed it helped.

Just a question; what happens if a nest is too large? Will the hens refuse to lie there?

 

[Henrik Petersson]

I have one further question: Will natural branches do for roosting for these big chooks, and in that case, what would be the desired diameter?

 

[Henrik Petersson]

I have one further question: Will natural branches do for roosting for these big chooks, and in that case, what would be the desired diameter?

Bump!