Nest box pads

[FC16]

How wide are the roosts? Some coops have really tiny ones, that are uncomfortable for a chicken's feet.

You might try changing one of them to a much wider board (2 or 3 times as wide as it is now), to see if that makes a difference in whether the chickens like to sit on it.

They’re actually quite wide, they have sat on them before, at least one of them sits on them each night whilst the others lay in the boxes. If it continues I will change them though to see if that make a difference

 

[Boise-girls]

I did try but because of the size of the coop it’s difficult to even get my hands in, they jumped straight off or wouldn’t even wrap their feet around

I used to have a similar coop, so I know what you mean! Hopefully a couple of them will give the roosts a try and then everyone will want in on it!

 

[NatJ]

They’re actually quite wide

How many inches?

It's common for people to argue whether chickens "prefer" roosts that are 1 1/2 inches or 3 1/2 inches wide (2x4 lumber skinny side or wide side up.)

But any roost less than one inch wide is probably too narrow.

they have sat on them before, at least one of them sits on them each night whilst the others lay in the boxes.

Yes, that is a good reason to think the width could be fine.

If it continues I will change them though to see if that make a difference

That sounds like a good idea-- if the chickens do start using them in a few days, there is no need to fuss with changing anything else.

 

[FC16]

I used to have a similar coop, so I know what you mean! Hopefully a couple of them will give the roosts a try and then everyone will want in on it!

Yes I was hoping one of the more dominant hens would jump on so they’d all follow, hopefully they get the hang of it.
Looking for new sheds now so hopefully should be able to convert old one into a coop fairly soon

 

[FC16]

How many inches?

It's common for people to argue whether chickens "prefer" roosts that are 1 1/2 inches or 3 1/2 inches wide (2x4 lumber skinny side or wide side up.)

But any roost less than one inch wide is probably too narrow.


Yes, that is a good reason to think the width could be fine.


That sounds like a good idea-- if the chickens do start using them in a few days, there is no need to fuss with changing anything else.

I’m not too sure how many inches but definitely over 1 1/2 inches wide. I’d say probably around 3 inches wide.
It’s definitely physically possible for them to get up there I just think they haven’t realised yet. Since I got them they’ve always had a coop like this (unfortunately ) so they don’t know much different, hopefully I will be able to get help them pick it up over the next few days

 

[aart]

Unfortunately they’re not using them yet, they’re all crammed in the nesting boxes and 1 hen is on the floor area. I’ll see how it goes tomorrow, maybe whilst being in and out the coop all day they’ll figure out the roosts above them.

Block off the nests.
Tho the highest one might be too high, and the other two too close together.
How far apart and how far from walls?

 

[linguini]

Tho the highest one might be too high,

What's an adequate height? What's too high? Just wondering.

My doll house coop came with three roosts, one was at the top, same level as the ventilation vent (more than 3ft I think). The first few nights they all went up there!
I quickly took the high bar off the next day.

 

[aart]

What's an adequate height? What's too high? Just wondering.

Just high enough to keep them from sleeping in the nests.

 

[FC16]

Update: I managed to get the hen who’s in charge to get on the roost tonight, she’s now sleeping on it and another hen keeps jumping up and down
It’s progress
I’m going to space the two next to each other out a little more, and the top one will probably be removed as it’s too close to roof but I might leave jt for a bit for the little ones if they want to
It was hard to fit them because of the lay out of coop