roost for heavy hens

[Dilly]

Hi, I am going with heavy breeds of chickens and am concerned about how high to make my roost.

Can those of you that have heavy breeds tell me how high your roosts are, If you use a ladder style or straight single board?
If you go all one level.
If you prefer a slant that raises to a higher level on each rail?

Thanks. I think I would rather go with a low roost than have the girls injure themselves.

Will they be content and happy with a roost only two to three feet high?

Thanks so much.
Dilly

 

[airmom1c05]

My Exhibition Buff Orpingtons love their low roost. It is only 2 ft. off the coop floor. I know they would roost higher if they could, but I don't think they can hurt themselves getting up or down from the low roost.

 

[Dilly]

Great that is what I am going with as well Buff Orps. I just worry about them being up too high.

Thanks

 

[ruth]

All of my really big girls roost on 2x4s in rafters of hen house 10 feet high. I have a ladder that I made for them to get up there. Today we built stadium seating style roosts along a wall in hen house for the new/young chicks, also of 2x4s, but I know everyone will always want to be on the highest roost. Already the 8 weeks olds are up there in the rafters with the grown "big girls" and fight for the right to stay up there.

 

[wynedot55]

you can make your roost out of 2 by 4s.an put them 2 to 3ft high.an put a ramp up to the roost for them.

 

[ruth]

Here's the newest roost we just built yesterday. They can hop from one level to the next and it should hold lots of big, fat chickens.