Roost Height Equality?

[CitrusMan]

This might be a pretty obvious question to some, but I'm at a loss... I have a 6 by 6 coop, approximately 5 1/2 feet tall inside. I built a 4-foot wide roost with three levels, one at 18 in., one at 24in., and one at 30 in., ladder style. The run is 12 foot by 6 foot also about five and a half feet tall. I plan on getting 8 birds.

My question is: with eight Birds, I would imagine only about four to five will be able to fit on the top four foot roost. There are two more levels below that roost. Will the hens use the bottom to roost without any issues, or will they battle to all try and fit on the top roost? That's included an image for reference. Thanks!

 

[kitkat5505]

I have two 4ft roosts, one was higher than the other. All 10 chickens would fight for the top roost and 8-9 would squeeze onto it, leaving 1-2 lonely birds on the other. I was worried about whoever was alone getting colder in winter so I made them both the same height now they usually have 4-6 on each one.

 

[3riverschick]

Take out the top Roost if you have large fowl. they don't need to be jumping any further than 24 in to the ground. yes they will all want the top Roost. that's a pecking order thing. but they will sort it out among themselves and the ones that don't get to roost at 24in will Roost on the lower one eventually and be happy . but take out that 30-inch Roost because the coop is not big enough for them to fly down to the ground. they will hop down instead and might sprain an ankle from that height .
Best ,
Karen

 

[aart]

My birds jump from 30" into a 4' space just fine.....
...but I do have a ramp off the poop board and some do use it.
You could do a 2x6' roost and board with a ramp in that coop,
they can either squeeze onto the 6 feet of roost or roost on the board.
You could put your nests under the board.
My coop is 6x16'

 

[jthornton]

My coop is 6x16'

What is the cardboard looking stuff for?

JT

 

[aart]

What is the cardboard looking stuff for?

JT

Cardboard over lower part of windows in upper right of pic is to block winter drafts,
but also because they didn't like to roost in front of windows even in summer.

Piece of vinyl behind roost in upper center of pic is to keep PDZ from being scratched off poop board and jamming sliding pop door below.

Feed bags on lower walls are to keep bedding from getting between HC and outer shed sheathing.

 

[kitkat5505]

Cardboard over lower part of windows in upper right of pic is to block winter drafts,
but also because they didn't like to roost in front of windows even in summer.

That’s funny, my girls fight over who gets the spot by the window lol.

 

[aart]

That’s funny, my girls fight over who gets the spot by the window lol.

I know, it's odd. The prime spot was under the higher window,
but they avoided the lower ones until I put up that cardboard.

 

[dennisma1]

This might be a pretty obvious question to some, but I'm at a loss... I have a 6 by 6 coop, approximately 5 1/2 feet tall inside. I built a 4-foot wide roost with three levels, one at 18 in., one at 24in., and one at 30 in., ladder style. The run is 12 foot by 6 foot also about five and a half feet tall. I plan on getting 8 birds.

My question is: with eight Birds, I would imagine only about four to five will be able to fit on the top four foot roost. There are two more levels below that roost. Will the hens use the bottom to roost without any issues, or will they battle to all try and fit on the top roost? That's included an image for reference. Thanks!

Hum ...nobody likes getting pooped on...

 

[lazy gardener]

My birds also fight over the window spot! Usually a roo claims that spot, and his fav gals perch beside him.

Back to OP. I would choose the 24" ht, though 30 would be fine also, and make 2 perches the same height. Is there a reason why you made them only 5' long instead of 6'? I like to have my perch 15" away from the back wall. this prevents MOST skid marks on that wall. With only 6' to work with, your biggest issue is that the birds have very little room to make a graceful landing from the perch. While they can fly, they are heavy and awkward. Small coops allow little room for them to make that landing without doing a face plant on the wall in front of them. So, a ramp, or even a strategically placed tree stump might be helpful for them.

I do like the way Aart has arranged her space so she can use the "under perch" space. A poop board is not my style, so... I am not using under perch space, but have briefly considered putting in a poop hammock under one section, or even a temporary poop board so I can use that space for spring chicks.