My poop shelf 🐓💩

[Cmp211]

My poop shelf! It started as a shelf that was left in an old shed. I lined it with feed bags and covered with sweet pdz and FSL. Then I’ll scoop daily. I’m here for functionality, not looks◡̈ I guess im
Just posting to show people things don’t have to be “instagram perfect”. Don’t get me wrong I love my babies, but they’re barn animals. If I had the money to make a beautiful coop I would have done so, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Kudos to those the beautiful new coops. I’m just a stay at home mom working with what we have. I wanted my actual babies to grow up with chickens and all the highs and lows that come with them.

 

[Sally PB]

That is a great poop board! Nice job!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

If it works, it's beautiful!

 

[Cmp211]

Out of 18 chickens 3 are on the edge of the roosting bar. They’re boycotting the new poop catching material. I was using pine shavings before. Ughhhhh they better get there acts together lol

 

[Nym]

Fabulous! Train them to poop on command, it's the only way!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Urghhh! Raise the roost and poop boards a foot or so. They want to roost as high as possible, as per the ones in the rafters. Don't know what to tell you about those goofballs.

 

[C Siena]

Urghhh! Raise the roost and poop boards a foot or so. They want to roost as high as possible, as per the ones in the rafters. Don't know what to tell you about those goofballs.

Won't they still roost in the rafters, even if raised?

I have hens that roosted on top of a shelf. We added more roost/perches, they will not use them...so we build roosts on the shelf. Now 4-5 are trying to roost up there and it will only hold 4 close together. I have needed to take 1 down and place on the regular roost on occasion. I am concerned about them jumping/flying down 6', so may make a ledge/shelf about 18" beneath it.
If it doesn't work, I may have to block the top off.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Won't they still roost in the rafters, even if raised?

Yup. I meant if you don't want those ones to roost in that shelf area to the right of the roosts, either block that off or raise the roost so it's a little higher than that shelf area. I then said I had no suggestion for those roosting in the rafters. Block the rafters somehow (false ceiling?) if you don't want them up there, I guess.

I have hens that roosted on top of a shelf. We added more roost/perches, they will not use them...so we build roosts on the shelf. Now 4-5 are trying to roost up there and it will only hold 4 close together. I have needed to take 1 down and place on the regular roost on occasion.

I would let them sort themselves out. Whoever doesn't fit will find someplace else to roost, and it will depend on the pecking order (social structure) who gets kicked off. You interfering will just confuse the issue.

I am concerned about them jumping/flying down 6', so may make a ledge/shelf about 18" beneath it.
If it doesn't work, I may have to block the top off.
View attachment 4142340

If the birds are heavy bodied, removing the roost or blocking it may be a good idea. They can bruise their feet, leading to bumblefoot. But if they can hop down in stages it may be fine.

 

[C Siena]

Yup. I meant if you don't want those ones to roost in that shelf area to the right of the roosts, either block that off or raise the roost so it's a little higher than that shelf area. I then said I had no suggestion for those roosting in the rafters. Block the rafters somehow (false ceiling?) if you don't want them up there, I guess.


I would let them sort themselves out. Whoever doesn't fit will find someplace else to roost, and it will depend on the pecking order (social structure) who gets kicked off. You interfering will just confuse the issue.


If the birds are heavy bodied, removing the roost or blocking it may be a good idea. They can bruise their feet, leading to bumblefoot. But if they can hop down in stages it may be fine.

What do you think about a board 2' below the shelf?
I'm thinking anything is better than dropping 6'.