Roost design - parallel uneven or perpendicular. What height? 5x5 coop.

[clrdogrl]

With your big breed birds, I think a ramp would be better for them. You don't want them getting hurt. I have an Orp and two Brahmas. We do have poop board with roost on top. Roost is probably le than 3' off ground and they do not fly up or down from it.

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A ramp could be a good idea. I'm assuming the poop tray is 24"? How long is your ramp? 3ft"? That would take up the 5ft but they could hop up on the ladder from the side...

 

[Ridgeback825]

Although the birds hop up onto the roost bars, they fly down, so they'll need at least as much horizontal room to fly down, as the height of the bars. I've mainly had smaller breeds than yours, and I think 4 ft is way too tall--I'd go with 3 ft or even 30 inches and 24 inches. Some people who keep your big breeds would know better though as to how low to install the roosts, to prevent injuries flying down. I'd think 18 inches away from the wall is plenty though, and having different heights could prevent squabbles.

 

[RojoMarz]

A ramp could be a good idea. I'm assuming the poop tray is 24"? How long is your ramp? 3ft"? That would take up the 5ft but they could hop up on the ladder from the side...

Yes. 3 ft ramp. It was initially too steep, so the 10" tall tree stump was added.

 

[David61]

i use off set 2x4s

 

[clrdogrl]

i use off set 2x4s

I love love love this. I like the visual of seeing your girls actually using it too.

Can I ask how tall the lowest and middle roost are from the floor? And how far apart are they from each other?

 

[David61]

I built 3 1/2 years a go. i'll pull a tape on it. Ok, 12 " on center and 4"x6' poop board. From the front ofthe poop board in came in 11" and stood my first 2x4 up right and the crossing 2x4 is 12" in the center high off the poop board . The next upright 2x4 is 12" on center from the center of the first upright and the cross 2x4 is 24" on center high off the poop board and repeat for the next, 12" center upright,36" hight... this gave me 14-16" off the back wall and no dropping in my nest boxes below. And my 2x2" diagonal suports on the outside of the uprights gives it rigidity. The uprights are screwed into the frame under the poop board. its been 3 1/2 years and my second flock. They look almost new and have been perfect for me and the ladies.

p.s. you can see the lille white thing under the cross bar. thats a battery, photo cell on/off, low light, stair light from "mr. beam". The young girls couldn't see the get down off the roost and make it to the nest box in the dark mornings. Cracked eggs on the poop board don't happen anymore.

 

[pamelanie]

I did 2x4's flat and my hens are just fine. IDK about the 2x4's up, I've heard you have to smooth them out a bit to not cause problems with the birds feet.

My hens...


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Very nice; I downloaded this pic