Perch Clearance

[bobchristenson]

I'm building my first set of perches for 4 hens. As you can see below there are 2 perches, each about 4' wide. They are 9" apart from each other and the back one is just 6" from the wall.

I'm wondering if this is enough clearance all the way around (will chicken bums take up more than that 6" I left to the wall on the top perch?) I assume this will work but wanted to get some opinions...thanks!

 

[KDK1]

The back one is too close to the wall... I would just remove it. 4 ft is plenty of space for just four hens.

 

[bobchristenson]

Thanks for the input....is the rule 1ft per hen? I was going to make it a bit larger in case a 5th or 6th hen sneaks into the pack at a later date...

 

[CupOJoe42]

They usually recommend that the top roost be about 18" from the wall (to keep poop off.) The general rule is 1 foot of roosting space per bird. Roosts should be higher than nest boxes to prevent birds from sleeping and pooping in nest boxes.

 

[Linn Bee]

I am a newbie here so I if I am wrong please correct my error, but. . .

I thought roosts needed to be 18 inches apart. That would be 9 inches for the front and 9 inches for the back of the chickens not to poop on a lower roost. That would also mean that the first roost wouldn't need to be much more than 9-10 inches from the wall. I do like the idea of keeping it a bit farther to keep a cleaner wall.

Love, Linn B (aka Smart Red) Gardening zone 5a - 4b in south-est, central-est Wisconsin

 

[fireguy56]

Bob, Definitely move rear roost alittle further out and I would add a 1" x 3'' screwed on the flat to the top of the 2" x 2" you used...gives them more surface area to grip and to sit on their feet to keep them warm. Just a thought. If ya don't move the rear roost forward, you'll have poop all over the wall. Some will face forward and some the other way.
Erik

 

[AlienChick]

I keep mine at least 18" away from the wall to keep the poop off the wall.

And they are more than 18" apart, so that's not a problem.

 

[Ole rooster]

I have my top one at 12 inches and they are somewhat pooping down the wall. I did have it 9 inches but moved it out. Looks like 14 inches from the wall would be fine , but roost to roost to my way of thinking should be the same so that if turned around the top bunch don't poop on the lower sleepers. So far I don't have that problem. I think all on the top roost turn their butts to the wall. That's the way the wall looks for sure.

If you have the room to go 18 inches go for it. That's just a little higher they have to jump.

 

[CupOJoe42]

If you stair-step them, you can put the top one 18 inches from the wall and then down 12", across 12", down 12", etc.

 

[bobchristenson]

Well durnit.
Today I realized I wasn't thinking of the correct measurement and when I measured I found its only 35" (not 4') wide. That's why I was thinking 2 roosts. So now I fear I'm screwed. The area for my perches is 35" wide and only about 32" deep.

Basically this means I need a second perch for 4 birds (true?) yet I can't get another one even 12" from the wall and front perch. Argh. Now what?

Do I put it only 9" from the wall or less than 12" from the front perch? I would elevate the back one up a foot (stair step style) so does it matter if it's close to the other perch.

Little help? Feeling like I may have a problem here.