Roost depthh??

[purpletree23]

My roosts for the girls are 24 inches off the ground and I allow 2 feet per bird in length. My question is how 'deep' should the roost be. I am using a 2X3 right now. They rest their feet on the 3 inch side. Is that enough for them to be comfortable and be able to use their breast feathers to cover their feet in the winter? It gets very cold here in New Hampshire.

Thanks in advance to my BYC friends!

 

[Omran]

Quote:
you are doing great, I do the same to my hens only it is like 30" from the ground, and I have no problem.

 

[newchicksnducks]

We're using 2x4 with the 4" side flat. I had to laugh at the 2' per bird your making. It's great, but I've found the chickens seem to like to "clumb" together...we'll have 3 birds crammed into a 2 foot section, then 6' of empty roost before the next "clump"!

It sounds like your roosts will be just fine

 

[wildorchid053]

we used a 2x4 and it works great.. we put it about 6" from the bottom of the window and they love the breeze and looking out.. nosey birds!!!

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Love the set up above! And they can't even climb on the waterer either! Anyhow...I use a 2x4 also Heard they can cuddle over their toes so they don't freeze in the winter months and we have some cold ones! They seem to love it

 

[tomato lady]

I am using 2 x 4 with the flat side up. I am not sure how much space per chicken. Right now most of my chickens roost on everything but their roosts. Last night 11 chickens were crowded on the top of my two 5 gal. buckets! I guess they still want to cuddle up. Can't say it is because they are cold, and I have a light on for them.

Wildorchild, what a great set up. You have solved a couple of problems.......more usable floor space and no chickens roosting on the water can. I like that! I think I will put that in my plans for the new coop.

 

[Gwen]

My question on roosts is how far from the wall should they be? I keep seeing ready made coops and the roosts look to be really close to the wall, just inches away. What's the minimum?

 

[purpletree23]

18 inches from the wall.

I went 'by the book' for inches per bird for the roost and you're correct. They all squeeze into a third of it. Oh well!!!