Roost placement

[Miss Lydia]

Go for it! Looks cool for sure. I guess I worry about frost bite feet.

 

[K0k0shka]

Go for it! Looks cool for sure. I guess I worry about frost bite feet.

That branch is more than 4” in diameter though. I’ll check on them when they roost, and if I see any toes, I’ll go to the nearby woods and get them a thicker branch I really like the natural look.

 

[Alaskan]

Sounds like a great plan.... if you put rims around the flat tops you can fill them with sand, or PDZ or a bit of garden dirt so they can dust bathe in the sun from the window.

That will also make them easier to clean.

With only 4 hens you might only have to clean them once a month.

 

[K0k0shka]

Sounds like a great plan.... if you put rims around the flat tops you can fill them with sand, or PDZ or a bit of garden dirt so they can dust bathe in the sun from the window.

That will also make them easier to clean.

With only 4 hens you might only have to clean them once a month.

Ooh, interesting! I will consider it. I currently have the nest box top openable (still need to buy hinges so not done yet). I was thinking I may need to open it once in a while to clean it or something. But maybe I can rework it so I can dump the sand into something before opening the top.

 

[RoosterML]

A thick branch achieves the same result. And looks nicer

Yes they work I have both thick branches 3-4” dia minimum. And 2x4 wide side up. What I don’t like about your branch is it is rough, try to find something smoother

 

[K0k0shka]

What I don’t like about your branch is it is rough, try to find something smoother

Why? Chickens are animals, they don’t need clean smooth surfaces like we do. Free ranging country chickens roost in trees, on real branches like this one, rough with the bark still on. Nobody smooths them out for them and they’re fine. This is a real branch, the way it fell from the tree. Nothing particularly sharp or pointy or splintery on it, but that’s not even what you’re concerned about... If it’s just roughness, then I guess I don’t get it. Trees are rough.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

The coop looks great! I like the branch. My girls have a few large branches in their run.

My Buffys can’t fly, and I think they would be happier jumping down from 3’ than from 4’. They run and flap their wings when they want to hurry, but I don’t ever see them really flying. Sometimes they do leave the ground for a bit.

My roost is only about 16” off the coop floor. My coop is smaller, and I’ve never gone through a winter, but I sure wish I had poop boards! Of course, poop frozen on a board may not be much of a delight either!

I have 4 chickens - 2 Buffys, a Black Australorp, and a Gold Laced Wyandotte. The two buff pullets hang out with each other, as do the two dark ones. They were all raised from one week old together.

 

[RoosterML]

Why? Chickens are animals, they don’t need clean smooth surfaces like we do. Free ranging country chickens roost in trees, on real branches like this one, rough with the bark still on. Nobody smooths them out for them and they’re fine. This is a real branch, the way it fell from the tree. Nothing particularly sharp or pointy or splintery on it, but that’s not even what you’re concerned about... If it’s just roughness, then I guess I don’t get it. Trees are rough.

You seem to have it all figured out. You asked a question and I answered. Just keep it in the back of your mind for future reference if you ever deal with bumble foot or mites. Enjoy

 

[K0k0shka]

Sorry, I was just very surprised by your comment and wanted to know why, that’s all.

 

[RoosterML]

I would also change the direction of the roost bars to allow for more take of and landing space.