Need help on designing perches/roosting area for large standard hens

[bdp7150]

I CUT 1/2" 25 DEGREE OFF BOTH TOP CORNERS AND GOT MY YOUNG SON TO TAKE A FILE TO THE TOPEDGES AND ROUND OFF A LITTLE , I USED A FULL 2X4X8 FOR MY ROOST MADE 4 OF THEM FOR MY 16 CHICKENS WHICH MY DROP BOARDS ARE UNDER ROOST ,WHERE I HAVE THE BOARDS CAN BE PULLED OUT FROM OUT SIDE AND CLEANED AND SLIDE BACK IN THIS HAS BEEN WORKING GOOD.

 

[bdp7150]

I FORGOT ONE THING THESE ROOST ARE REMOVABLE, ON BOTH ENDS OF THE ROOST BOARD I CUT A 1X4 TO LENGTH AND NOTCHED OUT THE 1X4 SO THE ENDS OF ROOST BOARDS CAN SIT IN THERE WITH OUT ROCKING WHEN CHICKENS GET ON THEM. FOR CLEANING AND COVERD WITH DE AND COVER THE DROP BOARDS ALSO

 

[rancher hicks]

I hope I can get an answer. I have 4 red frizzle bantams. Do they need a special or smaller size roost? All the other chickens, Del., BO,s etc. etc. are roosting on my roosts 2x2's but the frizzles are huddled in the corner on the floor. I will put a box up for them as I haven't put up nest's yet. They won't be laying for a while. They're only 12weeks.

 

[NotTheMomma]

Like many here, I didn't have a custom coop. We moved here last summer, and there were two 10'x20' sheds. Immediately I claimed one as the coop for my would be chickens. We lived in the city for the past 18 yrs, and the entire time I've wanted chickens. Now I have them.

Anyway, the man that lived here had put 2x4 boards where the rafters in a building are. They are turned with the 2'' part up. They were placed in order to store things in the top of the shed. I've worried about those not being suitable roosts. I even had a talk with my flock yesterday about not sleeping on their roosts, and sleeping on the floor in the nice fluffy bedding. Last night, for the first time, all chicks were up in the rafters sleeping!!! Even the little 4 week old chicks had managed to fly up high! All seem comfortable, and napping away.

I hope it doesn't harm them in any way. I tried to figure out a way to turn those 2x4, but there are slots cut into the side framing for those, and I'm afraid I don't know how to fix it.

 

[tackyrama]

Quote:
If I do end up using squared boards for other coops, how rounded do I need to make the corners? Just soften them up a bit or really round them off?

thanks

I believe full 2x4s are actually too wide. It would be too wide for them to actually get a grip. The idea of a flat board instead of a small round pole is to keep their toes from freezing. In a small pole their toes wrap around the poles too far and the ends are subject to freezing. On a 2x3 the toe ends are tucked in the feathers and they can still get a grip. I just softened the corners a little and they are doing just fine. We also have large dual purpose breeds.

 

[rivergypsy]

Tackyrama: love your red barn and those gorgeous windows. I plan to build my roosting poles like yours. Thanks for the great photos. linda/

 

[al6517]

Quote:
This also what I use they really like the fact that they don't need to balance on it, they sit really comfortably on them.

AL

 

[rivergypsy]

My coop is 7' wide x 42" deep x 8' tall. Finished framing Saturday and added 4 x 8 plywood for roof Sunday. Exterior walls are next.

All the photos I have seen in the forum are so nice and all have solid floors. I put hardware cloth on half of my floor and plan to build Tackyrama's roost over that. My intent was to allow the poop to fall through and be able to rake it out for composting. Is this a mistake? It's not to late for me to floor over the hardware cloth if I need to. What should I do? Is leaving the bottom open with hardware cloth not a good idea? thanks for your advice. linda//

 

[ynaught]

What is the (minimum) horizontal distance between roosts? I'm sure ours are too close now (7"?), and need to be separated some.

I was thinking to put the first one 18" from the back wall and allow 12" between the rest of them. How's that sound?