Perches extend full length of coop?

[Brucepierce]

Hi Folks
I'm building my perch this weekend and was looking to see if anyone has any input on whether I should build the perch to reach the corners of the coop? Do chickens like a wall to lean on or can I cut them shorter and leave a gap on each end?

Thanks in advance...sorry for the double posting...I'm still trying to figure out the site..

 

[kellieetal]

"chicken jail" makes me think of my kids stomping off down the hall having been sent to their rooms for misbehavior. "That's it, Ms. Chicken! TIMEOUT for you until you learn not to peck at your sisters!"

 

[HEChicken]

Hmm...interesting question. Just last week I rebuilt my roosts from a ladder style to a style where 4 roost boards are on the same level. My coop is 10' wide, most of the boards 8' long, so there is a gap on either side. However I had one board that was longer than the others and rather than cut it off to match, I decided to put it up as is. I used it as the board closest to the wall so that I could still walk up and down each end as needed. What I have found is that that board, where it sits in the corner, is the "prime" roosting place. Where the top roost used to be the most desirable place to roost, now that they are all on the same level. the roost that is deep in the corner is now the place where the highest status birds sleep.



This picture gives you some idea what I am talking about. You can see the 4 boards on the same level and although it cuts off, you can see that the board furthest from the camera continues to extend towards the wall. THAT is the corner the highest status birds prefer.....

 

[JackE]

I built mine to wall to wall. Coop is 8' wide, so it was easy. Some of my birds like leaning against the wall, others want to be in the middle. Make the roosts easily removable, comes in handy at cleaning time.
Jack

 

[DeannaOR]

I tried to maximize use of space, so I did two 12' long..the length of our coop, with a poop board underneath and a chicken jail under that. I'm very happy with it. I use stall dry in the poop board and just scoop it with a kitty litter scoop. They use both the roost board and the rail for roosts.




The chicken jail has come in very handy for transitioning babies into the main flock.
I could also use it for a broody, or injured bird.

 

[AtHomeOnThRange]

I have a question about natural roosts - would a branch from a pine tree, about 3" in diameter, be a good choice?

 

[kingfrodo]

My girls all prefer the corner style roost as well. we have three at different hights in different corners that they like. My DH used some extra cresote posts laying around the barn and 45ed the ends so they are flush to the corners. every night the same ones are in the same spots.

I have also discovered hight of roost doesnt coorespond with pecking order, although, Bailey my EE pullet is on a seperate roost all by herself b/c she is on the bottom of the pecking order.

 

[AmyChristine]

Hmm...interesting question. Just last week I rebuilt my roosts from a ladder style to a style where 4 roost boards are on the same level. My coop is 10' wide, most of the boards 8' long, so there is a gap on either side. However I had one board that was longer than the others and rather than cut it off to match, I decided to put it up as is. I used it as the board closest to the wall so that I could still walk up and down each end as needed. What I have found is that that board, where it sits in the corner, is the "prime" roosting place. Where the top roost used to be the most desirable place to roost, now that they are all on the same level. the roost that is deep in the corner is now the place where the highest status birds sleep.



This picture gives you some idea what I am talking about. You can see the 4 boards on the same level and although it cuts off, you can see that the board furthest from the camera continues to extend towards the wall. THAT is the corner the highest status birds prefer.....

I've been trying to research "same height/level" roosting bars and came across this. How far apart are yours and would you change this style of roost? I want to do this with a poop board below...and would like to prevent too much squable over who get the highest bar.

 

[canesisters]

Gonna be following this. I have 1 roost that sits in the middle of the wall, I don't like it (leaves just a little unusable corner on each end) and the birds seem to be more agitated at bedtime than back when they were little and had a low roost in a corner... Hummmm, maybe I made a mistake when I raised it by moving it out of the corner and to the middle...


(edited for spelling)

 

[Brucepierce]

Seems like they like the corners...the problem for me is I made my poop board 6ft long...my coop is 8 ft so ill have 2 exposed feet one in each corner...but I don't want them agitated or uncomfortable so I'll build them into the corners and clean up the poop I guess, this is how it goes when you build without a plan..I just love jumping in and doing stuff...