Roost over nest boxes..

[mowin]

I've got one roost opposite my nest boxes. Roost is only 4'. With 6-8 gals coming, I know I need more roost length.

So I made a second roost that is blocking my coop/run door. I hinged it so I can lift it out of the way when I need access to the run from the coop.

However, I'm thinking of moving the second roost to above the nest boxes. I'll remove the angled board first.

Think it might be easier to run my access ramps.

Good idea, or leave it alone,???

 

[sourland]

By raising the second roost it should help keep your flock from roosting in the nest boxes as they generally like to roost at the highest point possible. Good idea.

 

[mowin]

By raising the second roost it should help keep your flock from roosting in the nest boxes as they generally like to roost at the highest point possible. Good idea.

The roost/poop board above the nest boxes would be a couple inches higher than the opposite roost. Until my gals start laying, I'd block the nest boxes off.

 

[jthornton]

The roosts look too close to the wall and not high enough to keep the chickens from wanting to roost in the nest boxes. If you block the nest boxes each afternoon that is not a problem.

For full size chickens at least 12" from the wall unless you just like to clean poop from the walls. If you add a lip around the poop board you can put Sweet PDZ in there and use a kitty litter scoop to clean the poop.

I have 8 RIR hens and they have 11' of roosts, two 4' roosts and a 3' roost shaped like a U. They are all the same height and they often have 6 hens on one 4' roost and I've seen all 8 on a 4' roost and sometimes they are just scattered out. My roosts are about 12" off the poop board so they just hop up and don't have to fly.

This is before I started using Sweet PDZ and have since that photo moved the roosts out a few more inches.


This is a shot from my coop camera of my roost and poop board... I need to take a better shot with a regular camera lol.


JT

 

[mowin]

The roosts look too close to the wall and not high enough to keep the chickens from wanting to roost in the nest boxes. If you block the nest boxes each afternoon that is not a problem.

For full size chickens at least 12" from the wall unless you just like to clean poop from the walls. If you add a lip around the poop board you can put Sweet PDZ in there and use a kitty litter scoop to clean the poop.

I have 8 RIR hens and they have 11' of roosts, two 4' roosts and a 3' roost shaped like a U. They are all the same height and they often have 6 hens on one 4' roost and I've seen all 8 on a 4' roost and sometimes they are just scattered out. My roosts are about 12" off the poop board so they just hop up and don't have to fly.

This is before I started using Sweet PDZ and have since that photo moved the roosts out a few more inches.
View attachment 1719767

This is a shot from my coop camera of my roost and poop board... I need to take a better shot with a regular camera lol.
View attachment 1719766

JT

Roosts are 13" from the wall and centered on the 25" poop board. Roosts are 7" higher than the bottom of the nest box.

 

[jthornton]

Roosts are 13" from the wall and centered on the 25" poop board. Roosts are 7" higher than the bottom of the nest box.

I thought it might have been a optical delusion on my part due to the camera angle but thought I'd mention it anyway.

JT

 

[blackdog043]

I'd put the other roost over the nest box, it will free up that space in front of the door.