Ramp to Nesting Boxes?

[AngieB]

Here is a pic of the nesting boxes, although I've added some little curtains for privacy. (these are old pics right after the was finished - that's why it still looks spotless!)

And here is the roost and poop board.

 

[gallinamama]

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I think I get what you mean... to attach the 2 x 4 on the nesting boxes... maybe cut some 2 x 4 's shorter say maybe 8 -10" long and attach the longer perches to the nesting boxes? could I use instead a 1 x 6 and just create a ladder to get up to the flat perch? but then that wouldn't do because they would mess it up alot. My neighbor who has chickens told me to use something round as chickens like to wrap their feet around it... but I don't know how they would sleep without falling off???

I will do something soon and post the pictures... So much work to be done yet to this coop... I wish it would get a bit cooler...

I better quit talking now..

 

[gallinamama]

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Wow, that is really a nice coop!! I see now what you mean... maybe I should get my son in law to make a cover on the nesting boxes and cut out the front of mine a bit... Your coop looks so much larger than mine. But thank you for posting.. gives me a lot of ideas...

 

[Opa]

Gallinamama, Your neighbor may think round is best because tree branches are round and that works out okay for native birds. Chickens are native. They are originally jungle birds and they're feet have evolved for walking. They roost at night to avoid predators. Here they need to be able to roost on something that is wide enough that they don't have to hold on. They then lower their bodies onto their legs and feet and expand their feathers creating air spaces that improves the insulating quality. A chicken on a round perch must hold on and if you observe them they are constantly raising up and down trying to maintain position. Their feet are exposed and their feathers are held tight to the body.
Remember just because someone has always done something doesn't mean they are right.

 

[gallinamama]

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Well said Opa, I will make the perches out of 2x4's.

I really do wonder because my neighbor asked me why I clean and bleach out the coop so much.. she says it isn't necessary... to me a clean animal is a happy one... a happy one will like their surroundings, then in turn... give a better and cleaner outcome....

make sense? I traveled to Italy in 1996 with my husband and two of my children and we visited my SIL's brother... His wife had pigs, chickens, rabbits, goats and a cow.... None of their coops or homes smelled... and all of them were the cleanest animals I have ever seen and calm...She told me clean animals give healthier and better products. I believe her!!

I wish I could get my coop and few chickens the best I could give... I try.