The use of a 2 x 4 laying flat isn't so much used so their feet are completely covered, it's so your girls feet are flat on the roost and results in much more comfort for them, and yes so they can 'squat' on their feet to keep them warm. I sanded my 2 x 4 and ran it through a router on the edges just slightly. Using a 2 x 2 with standard and large breed girls is not sufficient.
The use of a 2 x 4 laying flat isn't so much used so their feet are completely covered, it's so your girls feet are flat on the roost and results in much more comfort for them, and yes so they can 'squat' on their feet to keep them warm. I sanded my 2 x 4 and ran it through a router on the edges just slightly. Using a 2 x 2 with standard and large breed girls is not sufficient.
Thanks for sending that pic of your interior...you know, you could do a very similar roost bar/poop tray setup in your coop. I cannot tell you the hours of "poop patrol" headaches it has saved me. My tray is filled with Sweet PDZ granular. Every morning I just scoop the poop up in a bucket (you can just see the kitty litter scoop up on the left side of the pic), 3-4 minutes..DONE! And the PDZ makes my coop smell so fresh and clean! Here's one size-wise that just might work in yours:Okay, thanks so much. Now that's a jim-dandy set up you have there. Here's the inside of my coop. I will replace the 2x2 with a 2x4.
Can't tell in photo how far the roost clears the wall. I would suggest you make sure the roost is at least 18 inches off the wall. So the chickens can decide which way they want to face…gives them room to relax….and if tails to wall will keep the wall cleaner. MIne who roost parallel to a wall prefer facing in to the coop.Okay, thanks so much. Now that's a jim-dandy set up you have there. Here's the inside of my coop. I will replace the 2x2 with a 2x4.
Thanks for your response. The roost is about 20 inches from the wall, I'm going to put a wider one in, and my girls prefer to face in as well. Could be because they are facing the windows them
Thanks for the other picture! I really like the idea. Will have to see what I can do in my place. I feel better about the size of mine. If their chickens can get onto that roost bar I'm sure mine will eventually make it on their own. Mine is much wider. So far I am still putting them up on the roost each night. But last night all six stayed up there! Very exciting. I will block the nest boxes because they want to sleep in there. That will probably stop once I get the other next buckets transferred into the coop. Love This forum!Thanks for sending that pic of your interior...you know, you could do a very similar roost bar/poop tray setup in your coop. I cannot tell you the hours of "poop patrol" headaches it has saved me. My tray is filled with Sweet PDZ granular. Every morning I just scoop the poop up in a bucket (you can just see the kitty litter scoop up on the left side of the pic), 3-4 minutes..DONE! And the PDZ makes my coop smell so fresh and clean! Here's one size-wise that just might work in yours:
Don't do what they did, however, using that small roost bar (yikes!). Anyway, you could then put your feeder and waterer under your poop tray which will save room, too. Just an idea...just thinking. I wish you all the very best!
Thanks for sending that pic of your interior...you know, you could do a very similar roost bar/poop tray setup in your coop. I cannot tell you the hours of "poop patrol" headaches it has saved me. My tray is filled with Sweet PDZ granular. Every morning I just scoop the poop up in a bucket (you can just see the kitty litter scoop up on the left side of the pic), 3-4 minutes..DONE! And the PDZ makes my coop smell so fresh and clean! Here's one size-wise that just might work in yours:
Don't do what they did, however, using that small roost bar (yikes!). Anyway, you could then put your feeder and waterer under your poop tray which will save room, too. Just an idea...just thinking. I wish you all the very best!
You have to remember that this is the time of year when chickens naturally slow down on egg production...shorter days, less sunlight, colder temps, molting, etc., all contribute to that. Me personally? I let my girls have a natural 'rest' so they're up and at 'em in the spring! I do not use artificial light...wishing you well!
You have to remember that this is the time of year when chickens naturally slow down on egg production...shorter days, less sunlight, colder temps, molting, etc., all contribute to that. Me personally? I let my girls have a natural 'rest' so they're up and at 'em in the spring! I do not use artificial light...wishing you well!
