Roost dimensions

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

So I have looked all over the web and found countless contradiction. I’m helping a buddy build a coop and we were looking at roosts. He hasn’t received the chickens yet but he wants to make sure everything is built before they arrive.

What should dimensions be. He has some left over 1x3s that we can lay wide side up. Well they are like 3.25in wide is that wide enough or does he need to get 2x2s or 2x4s or 3in dowel rods?

Help a brotha out!!! Lol

 

[Ridgerunner]

How about I give you some homework? This article details an experiment someone did on the subject. It has been a pretty hotly debated topic on here, many people have strong opinions. The problem is that those opinions favor different things, those contradictions you mentioned.

I did some experimenting myself a few years back but nothing as detailed or as controlled as this one. You should read this and reach your own conclusions, there was a failure. My conclusions are that with a few exceptions people care about this a lot more than chickens do.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-perch-experiment.74272/

He was unable to complete all tests but my general suggestions are to avoid roosts that sag much under their weight. I'd avoid metal and PVC, concerned about how well they conduct heat. Wood is a better insulator. If you do use lumber I'd round off the corners. It doesn't take much, maybe a few hits with sandpaper. I'm not worried about making it more comfortable for them to grasp the roost, I want to knock off splinters to avoid puncture wounds.

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

How about I give you some homework? This article details an experiment someone did on the subject. It has been a pretty hotly debated topic on here, many people have strong opinions. The problem is that those opinions favor different things, those contradictions you mentioned.

I did some experimenting myself a few years back but nothing as detailed or as controlled as this one. You should read this and reach your own conclusions, there was a failure. My conclusions are that with a few exceptions people care about this a lot more than chickens do.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-perch-experiment.74272/

He was unable to complete all tests but my general suggestions are to avoid roosts that sag much under their weight. I'd avoid metal and PVC, concerned about how well they conduct heat. Wood is a better insulator. If you do use lumber I'd round off the corners. It doesn't take much, maybe a few hits with sandpaper. I'm not worried about making it more comfortable for them to grasp the roost, I want to knock off splinters to avoid puncture wounds.

Oh that was my kind of article!! I wished it had been finished but alas duty calls. This year we did some experimenting in the garden Ruth stout vs back to eden. Thanks ridgerunner