Roost design

[laconia-chickens]

I have tried to set up a roost in my henhouse, but the chickens just ignore it and continue to roost in the nests causing quite the mess. My current roost is 7 feet tall and at a 45 degree anngle leaning against the wall. The first rung is apprx 18 inches off the ground. I used 2x2's and rounded the edges since a book I have says I should have 2 inch diameter roosts, but could not find dowels that large.

Is the angle too great? Should I go down to the 1.25 inch dowls available? I just introduced 11 new chickens in w/my original 2 and want to get htem roosting! Help.

 

[Opa]

Your roost will be just fine. Round dowels cause a chicken to grasp and they then spend a lot of time raising up and down trying to maintain balance. A flat roost of 2-4 inches is much better for them and will allow them to settle down onto their feet. This is very helpful to them in winter and keeps them much warmer.

 

[laconia-chickens]

So what do I need to do to get them to go on the roost?

 

[Opa]

They eventually will go on their own.