Roost Height

[katieuppi]

I previously had two roosts in my henhouse, one at 2 ft tall and one at 4 ft tall. The girls have been plucking my BCM's feathers from her bum either when she's on the 2 ft roost, or when she's in the 4 ft roost and the others are on the 2 ft. I removed the 2 ft tall roost, but now I'm concerned that 4 ft is too tall all by itself. Will they hurt their feet hopping down? The roosts are 7 ft long, so plenty of room for all 4 girls. Thanks!

 

[jthornton]

They don't hop down from 4 feet, they fly down. How far is the wall or other obstruction from the roost?

JT

 

[Fancychooklady]

It's a wood floor with about 5 inches of pine shavings.

They should be fine then.

 

[Folly's place]

It sounds fine. If some birds can't get up there, add a step stool of some sort to assist.
Mary

 

[jthornton]

They have about 7 feet between their roost and the opposite wall. Do you think it's enough?

The minimum distance for an average chicken is the height plus a few steps to stop in without bumping the wall. 7 feet is great!

JT

 

[Fancychooklady]

Mine have a lower perch and a ladder for those that want to go higher. The shelf above doesn't overhang the perch below , that way no one gets pooped on.

 

[naf_appaz]

My roosts are that high but I have a chicken ladder I made for them to get up and down on...

 

[Fancychooklady]

Provided they have a soft surface for landing they should be fine. Hard surfaces such as gravel or cement can ultimately lead to bumble foot.

 

[katieuppi]

They don't hop down from 4 feet, they fly down. How far is the wall or other obstruction from the roost?

JT

They have about 7 feet between their roost and the opposite wall. Do you think it's enough?

 

[katieuppi]

Provided they have a soft surface for landing they should be fine. Hard surfaces such as gravel or cement can ultimately lead to bumble foot.

It's a wood floor with about 5 inches of pine shavings.