Official BYC Poll: What Kind of Roost(s) Do You Have Installed?

[kubotafoot]

I installed 2x4” boards, wide side up. This allows the chickens to sit completely on their feet in the winter months to prevent any cold feet.

What a grand idea! I will implement it here in CT. Thanks for sharing. Oh, and do you change it to 2x4 narrow side up in warmer times, or just keep it the same, please?

 

[kubotafoot]

The Tractor Supply gamble

But how do the ISA brown produce? I hear they are monster layers!!

 

[CluckerFamily]

What a grand idea! I will implement it here in CT. Thanks for sharing. Oh, and do you change it to 2x4 narrow side up in warmer times, or just keep it the same, please?

I keep it the same all year long.

 

[kubotafoot]

I keep it the same all year long.

Thanks!

 

[nancylee679]

I use natural "branches" (actually trunks), of variable diameter between 3-5 inches because scrub oak and young pines are a weed on this property that have to be cut anyway while 2x4s would cost money.

I did the same thing. I used to have flat boards but they were hard to clean and were covered in poop. After switching to the branches and putting sand and cat litter on the floor it’s easy to keep clean. I have the branches at different levels and that seems to help in the pecking order skirmishes.

 

[WindingRoad]

The first thing I read on roosts when hubby was building the coop was 2x4, narrow side up, sand down the corners. So that's what we did. I have seen my chickens settle down on it, and couldn't see their toes, so I know they're covered. Had some pretty cold mornings, including -8, and no problems with frostbitten feet.

I have mine the same way except no sanding. My birds use them to clean off their beaks. I thought they were sharpening them at first. LOL. They sink right down onto the wood and drape that downy undercoat right over their feet. I've felt their feet when they stand up to get down and they are nice and warm.

 

[Chez Poulette]

I used a 2x4 cedar board wide side up with rounded edges. I also made a tray underneath the roosting ladder with sweet PDZ in it to act as litter. Super easy to use a kitty litter scoop to clean up droppings each morning.
picture is from last spring when they moved in.

 

[TrustyRusty]

I installed 2x4” boards, wide side up. This allows the chickens to sit completely on their feet in the winter months to prevent any cold feet.

It is unnatural for chickens to have "flat" roosts, as their feet are designed to wrap around small branches while they sleep. Years ago, someone wrote an article in POULTRY PRESS about using flat roosts for chickens, comparing chicken feet with human fingers! NOT!!! In the wild, chickens use tree branches, not 2x4s. That old article still sticks in my craw as many folks still believe it. If you don't believe me, ask your chickens... Chickens will use what they find, whether square, round or trapazoidal.

 

[WindingRoad]

I have mine the same way except no sanding. My birds use them to clean off their beaks. I thought they were sharpening them at first. LOL. They sink right down onto the wood and drape that downy undercoat right over their feet. I've felt their feet when they stand up to get down and they are nice and warm

Adding to my post. My birds have short toes. They can't grasp a flat 2x4 even if it really is 3 3/4. I have a couple of WLH that I call Little Bit they have the tiny feet. Might weigh 2.5 lbs. They will be 2 years old this summer. I think they are full grown now.

 

[8CityChicks]

I also use 2x4 narrow side up, sanded smooth. I have a wide section I added for a bird with a foot problem and there seems to be no real preference. My roosts are 3 levels high, all above nest boxes, diagonal to a 5-foot wall. The only strong preference is for the roost nearest the house ceiling. Its also the shortest yet 4 birds will at times crowd onto it for the height. Roosts are high enough they can get on easily, but I help all 10 of them down each morning to avoid their jumping down and getting possible hip problems (even though I have a rubber mat in case any jump). They all seem to enjoy being handled, but only briefly, and all but new additions patiently await their turns for a lift down.