Roost placement and construction conflict.

[barg]

Need to know how much space there needs to be between the wall and a roost and how much space between each roost for standard size hens.

Secondly: Ive been reading about roosts and people are saying to use a 2x4 with the 4 side up so the chickens feet are flat. When I used to raise parrots you were supposed to give them something small enought that they could grasp on to; the idea was that if you gave them something too large it would not exercise their feet and they would no longer be able to grasp on to anything.
Is this whats happening in the chicken world or is this a case of, my old information getting in the way in a new situation.

Parrots are Flying and climbing birds while chickens are primarily ground based, but I thought ide toss this out there and see where it goes.

Thanks for your input.

Yes I know the run on sentances and spelling errors are killing some of you, I empathize and would help you if I could

 

[silkiechicken]

It's best for their feet to be flat because they do not perch like other birds. Also, in winter time, cold toes = not good. A flat board for them to sit on would keep their feet warm.

As for spacing. Just put them a foot or so from the wall and like a foot apart and it should be fine. Some hens might get tail feathers in their faces but thats fine

 

[kstaven]

Chickens squat when they roost. Parrots stand when they roost at night.
With the difference in the talon structure chickens do better on flatter surfaces. They don't have the strength of a parrot in the talons.

I breed Macaws too.

You can get that top roost within a foot of the wall with large fowl. About 16 inches between seems to work well with mine.

 

[barg]

Hand feeding macaws is like working a jack hammer, they have the most extreme feeding responce of any parrot I've seen, its funny to watch

Thanks for the input