Need to build roosts in old hutches, help please

[Maryallison]

Ok, I have 30 something 2 month old chicks that have been smothering each other so another memeber gave me the great idea for a roost.

The area they sleep in at night is a old rabbit hutch. It is solid wood in the back with wood doors that open and the front is hardware cloth. It is also spit into 2 sections, both sides are exactually the same. I really didn't wanta cut the hardware cloth. Trying to keep in preditor proof.

So anyone have pics or a idea for the roost? Since I am still putting the chicks to bed at night.....(only a few have caught on to going to bed at night) I need to be able to reach the roost so it needs to be in the back where I open it up.

 

[liberty]

I used thick vines about three inches in diameter that I cut to length with the garden loppers. I like to use the vines because they are sturdy yet forgiving if you need to bend them a bit. First I put a nail on the ends of it and then I put a nails in the wood of the coop and I wired them together with a lot of wire. Plus you can also thread the wire through the hardware cloth if you want to attach it there. I also put a solar light inside (with the charging panel outside) because the chicks will head for the light when it gets dark. Good luck!

 

[FrChuckW]

You could also take 1 x 2's, cut them to length and then make triangle end pieces for support. Nail the boards lengthwise to the two end pieces and place them in the hutch. Stair step the boards so that they aren't pooping on each other. Place the chicks on the perches so they know what they are for.

 

[Maryallison]

neat to know that they will go to the light at night. I would LOVE them to put themselves to bed at night!!!!

I have TONS of branches.....the only vines I know of out here are thin with GIANT thornes...good idea though. I may try some branches.

I am jotting all this down for tomorrow!