Roost Height?

[Willow's Meadow]

I don't have chickens yet but I am going to get them! But I had a question. How high should roosts be put for breeds such as Buff Orpington and Buff Brahmas? Also is okay to just keep the nest boxes on the floor? I can't picture a heavy breed like an orpington flying.

 

[gryeyes]

My Buff Orpington can jump-flap up two feet without trouble.

I have two roosts, one set about 15-18 inches high, and one about 24 inches high. The chickens can jump from the lower one to the higher one (I've seen 'em do it).

And the nest box is raised, with a perch in front of it for the chickens to launch themselves onto, first.

Here's what it looks like, before I put down the bedding and the chickens occupied it.

Here's a closer look at the nest box; it's a rear rollaway (so I can gather the eggs from outside the coop).

 

[adeechickluv]

I only have 1 perch (only 4 chickens) and it's 1 1/2 feet tall. They love it!

But be sure to put a droppings board underneath, as they do spend quite a lot of time up there, and wherever chickens are, their poop is too.

For more info on these, use the search box (top right corner) and type in "poop boards"/"dropping boards"/"poop trays" .. etc.

Adrienne.

 

[tammyd57]

The roost in my coop is a little over 2 feet high and my large Buff Orpingtons have no trouble at all hopping up there. If they get spooked in their pen, by a dog or something, they can hop right over my 7 foot fence.
Just make sure the roost itself is wide enough to be comfortable for their huge feet. Mine prefer a 2" x 4" on it's side so they are perching on the wide side of it.