Roost in the coop

[PuffMommy]

I just bought an Amish chicken coop and it's great. My chicks are only one week old and haven't moved in yet. There is a bench-like thing with mesh/wire/netting over it that I am assuming is a roost. Is this ok or do they really need a pole/stick to roost on? Sorry...very new at this. Thanks!

 

[justusnak]

Hi and welcome! Sounds like you have a nice coop for your babies there. I was wondering....does the board UNDER the wire mesh, happen to pull out from the outside? Like a slide out poo tray? Sounds like that might be it. They really need a roost pole/board/branch. IF the board under the wire mesh pulls out, you will want to put the rost over the wire mesh. This is an excellent way to keep the coop clean. Got pics of the coop and wire mesh?? Might be able to help a little more then.

 

[PuffMommy]

No, there is no tray that pulls out. The bench is acutally not attached anywhere inside the coop and can be moved around. Sounds like I'll need to put up a roost. What size/diameter should it be - like a broomstick? Thanks for your help.

 

[Chirpy]

Personally I like using 2x4s for roosts with the "4" side up for them to sit on. That way they can keep their feet covered and warm in cold months.

 

[RavenStorm]

Quote:
Huh, in all of the plans that I have seen for making a roost/droppings box the 2x4s are put in with the 2-side up. I wonder if the chickens have a preference? Maybe we should all try an experiment and put up both options to see which they would rather be on.

 

[oldman]

MANY years ago we had a breeder flock of 10,000 hens and used 2x2's (2"x4"'split in half) for roosting poles. I note that you live in a very cold climate and perhaps 2x4's with the 4" surface (acturally 3 1/2") mounted horizontally would help keep the hens feet warm at night as suggested by another respondant - I have seen birds with frozen feet in wintertime in Ohio. Chickens seem to prefer a square pole to a round pole (i.e. "broomstick") - assumed they can "hold on" easier while roosting. Hope this suggestion is helpful..........

 

[PuffMommy]

very helpful - thanks everyone!

 

[SeaChick]

I think if you did a poll you'd find that most folks use 2x4s with the wide (4) side up.....

 

[Wraith]

you could buy an adjustable shower pole...unless it has to be wood.

 

[MrGreenJeans]

It's my plan to go with 2x4's 4" side up (being in Colorado) but that also brings up a question. I was planning on putting a tray underneath just to make cleanup easier. This is with the assumption that a greater amount of poo will accumulate under the roosts.

Is that a correct assumption ?

Also - how well does the 'litter tray' work with 4" roosts ? Is there a general rule for spacing them so they're usable but not in the drop path, or should I just plan on bringing a putty knife in each time I clean ?