Put roosts on same level or stagger

[chipahoy4]

Should I make the roosts all at the same height to forgo any pecking order problems, or should I stagger the heights of a couple roosts and let them figure it out. Just wondered if they were all at the same height would it cause less problems between them.
Thanks for any help

 

[mnferalkitty]

I would have different levels and let them figure it out

 

[Den in Penn]

Mine are the same height so I don't need so high a ceiling. They will squabble over a perch for what ever reason they desire it for.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You can do whatever you wish and suits your coop. Don’t overthink it.

The dominant ones will take the ones they consider best. It doesn’t matter if they are the same height or not. For some reason known only to chickens some will be preferred over others.

I do suggest you give them ample roost space so they can spread out if they wish.

 

[Weasleymum]

I keep roosts all at one level. Every time I've ever checked on my chickens at night, not only were they all on the same roost, they were all bunched up together... "12 inches of roost per bird", my foot. I feel that if I gave them multiple levels, they would just all cram on to the highest one anyway. We're building a new coop right now, and my plan is to have one long roost, just high enough that it's higher than the nest boxes.

 

[centrarchid]

I like the staggered configuration when numbers are high largely because is enables rapid determination of numbers. This ignores any issues concerning access or social stress.

 

[Belinda7]

I have two square wooden roosts in the nesting box about 3 inches above the floor, but all of my chicks (9 weeks old) seem to find a spot on the pine shavings and sleep there. Maybe I need to provide another roost that is higher off the ground for them in there? That area adjoins the nesting boxes, but they rarely sleep back there. Is there something else I should be doing?

 

[JackE]

I have two square wooden roosts in the nesting box about 3 inches above the floor, but all of my chicks (9 weeks old) seem to find a spot on the pine shavings and sleep there. Maybe I need to provide another roost that is higher off the ground for them in there? That area adjoins the nesting boxes, but they rarely sleep back there. Is there something else I should be doing?

At nine weeks, they will still sleep in a pile. Another month or so they may start wanting to get up off the ground. Ain't nothing you can really do, when they are ready, up they'll go. You say your roost is at three inches? You are going to want to raise that up a bit, like about three foot at least.
Jack

 

[chipahoy4]

Thanks for the info, They are 4 1/2 weeks old and are on roosts now, will probably stagger the roosts and let nature take its course

 

[Belinda7]

Thanks for the advice!