Roost bars and food/water in coop.

[rosemarythyme]

Also agree 1" dowel is too small, but anything about 2" and up should work. I use branches simply because they're free and lying all around my property, and don't have ladders since I don't have any birds that are too heavy or unwilling to get up there on their own.

Food and water go where they make sense for you. For me, due to frequent rains, my dry food goes inside the coop for weather protection. My waterer is outside, to keep the inside of the coop dry.

 

[wyoDreamer]

I have food and water inside the coop. My birds don't like to go outside when it is rainy/snowy/windy. Mostly windy is what keeps them inside. But I am in northeast WI and we have a long cold winter season.

 

[RebelChief]

Wow thank you everyone for all the responses. I have to read and digest all of this. I think I will go with the 2x4's. My coop is long and narrow and tall. It's 4x8. I have 8 birds. The run is covered and in a protected area back in trees so out of the main wind that blows through my property. There is an additional fenced in area for them to roam as well. Food and water will remain in the run. They are supposed to put in the linoleum tomorrow....fingers crossed.

 

[steveneggs]

I USE 2X4 WITH THE THEM ROOSTING ON THE 4 INCH SIDE OR THE FLAT SIDE. THE HEIGHT OF MY LOWEST ROOSTS IS AROUND 12 INCHES AND THE HIGHEST IS AROUND 36 INCHES