Roost bar spacing & height

[NewcoopNewpoop]

The new playhouse coop is almost finished but I am having trouble figuring out where to put the roost bar. See pics and tell me where you think it should be. 4'x4' coop. About 5' tall at the apex.
Bedding not added yet (obv).

Any other tips, comments, or insight appreciated!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Put it where it least interferes with your reaching in to clean or gather eggs.

Determine floor height, including bedding. Then install your nests. Then put your roosts noticeably higher than the nests to encourage them sleeping on the roosts instead of in the nests. In a tiny coop like yours 6" higher might be enough. Your ventilation needs to be over their heads while they are on the roost so a breeze doesn't hit them at night.

I want the roost 12" off of the wall to give them room to roost.

 

[NewcoopNewpoop]

Put it where it least interferes with your reaching in to clean or gather eggs.

Determine floor height, including bedding. Then install your nests. Then put your roosts noticeably higher than the nests to encourage them sleeping on the roosts instead of in the nests. In a tiny coop like yours 6" higher might be enough. Your ventilation needs to be over their heads while they are on the roost so a breeze doesn't hit them at night.

I want the roost 12" off of the wall to give them room to roost.

Over their heads? Ok. I think i have some ideas to follow all of those tips.

 

[NewcoopNewpoop]

Put it where it least interferes with your reaching in to clean or gather eggs.

Determine floor height, including bedding. Then install your nests. Then put your roosts noticeably higher than the nests to encourage them sleeping on the roosts instead of in the nests. In a tiny coop like yours 6" higher might be enough. Your ventilation needs to be over their heads while they are on the roost so a breeze doesn't hit them at night.

I want the roost 12" off of the wall to give them room to roost.

Higher than the floor of the nest or the top?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Higher than the floor of the nest or the top?

Excellent question. You are the first person I remember ever asking this precise question and I've been waiting.

Most chickens like to roost on the highest point possible. If the top of your nests are higher than the roosts and they can sleep on them then there is a good chance they will. If the top of your nests are covered where they cannot poop in the nests that may not bother you. Some people really freak out at that thought even though the poop cannot get in the nest. I put a juvenile roost over the nests and use the top of the nests as my droppings board.

So put your roosts higher than anything you do not want them sleeping on, whatever that is.

 

[NewcoopNewpoop]

This is what I ended up with for now. I didnt make it permanent. We will see what the ladies do with it tonight.

 

[NewcoopNewpoop]

This is what I ended up with for now. I didnt make it permanent. We will see what the ladies do with it tonight. View attachment 4113671

Ok they lay under the shelf apparently. I think i will transplant them to the bar when they are good and sleepy.