pullets sleeping on shelf

[gcst]

I have 6 -12 week old pullets. My son made me a A frame 4x8 coop w/ a dormer window. We put a shelf under the window, because the nesting boxes are under it. Now they are sleeping on the shelf insted of the roosts. Is this going to be a problem?

 

[cw]

first off welcome to backyard chickens



and if you dont want them sleeping on the shelf then yea it will probably be a problem

 

[Tala]

My grandma had a shelf all along the back wall of her coop - for a roost - instead of bars, so yeah they like sitting on shelves.

Maybe yours like to look out the window, hehehe

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
May I suggest you angle the shelf at 45 degrees over the nest boxes? It's what I've done. This angled top will prevent them roosting there and giving you yet another area to clean.
Their natural inclination is to "go up," so any flat place or perch will be adopted. This is to your advantage, since knowing this, you can eliminate all but those places you wish them to roost.

Oh yeah - welcome!

 

[gcst]

Well they do like to looking out the window. It is fun to watch them.
And thank you.

 

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Welcome.

You've probably noticed by now that they poop a lot when they sleep, so...

 

[gcst]

Yes there is a lot more poop on and around the shelf.
I will have to get my son to help fix it. The problem with a A frame is it is harder to cut a shelf to fit on an angle. Thank you again for all your help. Gail

 

[ChooksChick]

You may consider leaving it, since sweeping poop off of a shelf into a bin is a great easy clean.

I deliberately have a 24" wide shelf under my roost for my birds for this reason, and cleaning doesn't involve shoveling or bending for me.

Some of the girls would rather sit on the shelf a few inches under (though in front of) the other girls. It's the same to me either way- I'm not worried about it.

 

[lunkerchicken]

I have put my roosts in front of a 60" by 24" window for the girls to look out of and enjoy the view, perhaps keep an eye on my kids in the back yard for me!!!