Outside roost ideas - show me yours!!!...please :)

[FarmGirl21]

I just expanded the yard due to the older/smaller one being nasty wet all the time. The chickens got to take over the old duck pen & then some. I have plenty of scraps of wood from all the building lately & a lot of leftover good stuff. I am thinking about making an outside roost and possibly a couple nest boxes..but only a couple. I would LOVE to see some ideas of ones that other BYC members have built or used for an outside roost/nesting area. Thanks!!


I was also maybe thinking of building a small shelter-type thing for the food & water. any ideas are appreciated!

 

[FrontPorchIndiana]

Are you wanting them to sleep outside at night? Generally that's exactly what they end up doing if you give them an outdoor roost.

 

[FarmGirl21]

It would just be for day use. I would put them all away at night...i always have to go close the door anyway...we have a terrible rat problem. we lost 10 chicks a couple weeks ago.

 

[gotchooks?]

Our chickens have an outside roost that is a large tree limb. Rather than dispose of it, I thought to remove the thinner branches and leaves. They use the limbs all the time.

Jenn

 

[krcote]

gotchooks? how do you keep grass growing in your run?!?!!? mine is void of all life!

 

[Shared Acres]

Krote, I was reading that if you put down chicken wire on the bottom it keeps them from scratching up the roots. That what we did in our new coop. I read that some people do it over their gardens and allow the veggies to grow up over the netting.

I like the perch outside, I have one little guy who likes to perch during the day.

 

[SterlingAcres]

I've got 2x4s across the corners of my run. The chickens love them, Jake sleeps on them most of the time (unless the weather is insane, then he goes inside the barn).

 

[Pullet Pimp]

Quote:
Her website says she lays new sod in the run about 3 times a year. There's no stopping the chicken destruction of a lawn.

 

[Hobbley_Farm]

Quote:
I was just wondering the same thing!!! I have something green that grows...some sort of weed, looks like small lettuce (but isn't) But grass??? nope


Edited to note that I didn't read the rest of the thread before asking. I can't afford sod once much less three times a year. Sheesh...what spoiled rotten chickens those must be lol

 

[gotchooks?]

I do replace the sod. I get an amazing deal on it, and I can't let the hens free range so I figured this would be the next best thing. They ate the grass down to nothing...and I stopped getting those rich colored yolks...until I replaced the grass.

My girls are spoiled rotten.