Roost for variety of chickens (big and small) PROBLEM SOLVED

[Star Flock]

I have done tons of searching on here and found very useful information. Still, I thought it'd be best to tell y'all my own situation to get the best answers. When I get my chickens, I'm going to start with Black Copper Marans and 1 or 2 Silkies(to eventually use as nannies). The coop will be either 6 x 6 or 8 x 8 (I'm hoping for the larger). What I'm trying to figure out is how high to put my roost so that they won't roost in the nesting boxes, but where they won't injure themselves getting down. Or in the Silkie's case, I want them be capable of getting to the roost obviously. My nesting box will be at least 1/2 foot of the ground. I wanted a two-story nesting area (3 nesting boxes in all, though) which means the highest will be about 3 feet high. If I put my roost at 3 1/2 feet high, would this work? If not, what are some suggestions y'all would have on height, ladders, safety precautions, etc.

Thanks!

 

[4 the Birds]

Nest boxes below 18" up are good so they can just hop up and down without adding ramps or ladders. You can always pile bedding down below for added ease of access. The roost bar can then be up a little higher. A ladder or ramp would be ideal so that flapping and jumping down off the roost is minimized.

 

[Star Flock]

Thanks so much for the info and pictures! After a bit of thought, I think I've decided to have just one row of nesting boxes about 1 ft off the ground. Then the roost could be 1 1/2 or 2 ft high. I was also thinking about having a second roost, 3 1/2 or 4 ft. Could the lower roost work as a stepping stone to the next or should I make an actual ladder?

Thank you!!!

 

[aart]

Go with 8x8...saves on material waste ;-)

Yes, you can stagger the height of the roosts to act as a ladder up, stagger the lateral location too so they are not roosting one right above the other.... or someone will get pooped upon.

ETA: I just remembered, I think silkies like to roost pretty low, because they can't fly well?? Do some searching.

 

[Star Flock]

Research is kinda my things so I'll definitely do a ton of that. I've heard that about spreading the roosts apart so they stay clean.Thanks for your help!!

ETA: So I think I've decided to have a 2 ft roost, with a 4 ft in front of that for them to get on if they choose. I'll do some research on Silkies' roosting but thinking I may put a log to the side of the coop for them to hop up on if they want.