New coop. Let the fun begin!

[CapricornFarm]

Allow a foot of roost per chicken, and they will probably all roost at night.

 

[aart]

Best to have 12" of roost length per bird.

 

[Toothpick]

Dang. I need a bit more space. That's just 8 feet. And I'll have 20 birds.

 

[aart]

Put another down the long side too.

 

[kitkat5505]

I have 10 chickens and two 4ft roosts, they all try to squeeze onto the top one lol. I do think you'll need more roost space.

 

[Toothpick]

Yup, I'll have to do one along the long side. Across from the nest boxes.

 

[Folly's place]

I think they need way more than 12" per bird roost space, so the birds have space to fly up there and get comfortable, and sort out their favorite spots to roost. Mary

 

[CapricornFarm]

Getting ready to do roosts in my coop soon too. If i have 12 chickens in each side, i will use 4 , four foot roosts and maybe a swing on each side. The guineas seem to like the one in their tractor.

 

[aart]

I think they need way more than 12" per bird roost space, so the birds have space to fly up there and get comfortable, and sort out their favorite spots to roost. Mary

Using a poop board can make the 12" per bird work just fine,
as it's easier to get up onto roost.
But you're correct, they need space to get up there....
....once again a 'rule of thumb' does not take into consideration variables that might be present.

 

[Crooked Chicken]

View attachment 1120038

Just added a poop board for the roost. It's 30" off floor and roughly 20" wide. Roost bar will be roughly 6" higher. Think one bar across is enough for 20 chickens? I doubt they will all be up there at once.

Looks great Toothpick! How deep is that area with the poop board? Is it deep enough you can stagger 2 roosts -- one a bit higher and farther back than the other? Also, the framing along top back will get roosted on as well -- seems to be the favorite spot for some of my chickens. Luckily, the poop sweeps right off.