roost ? pole ? flat ?

[Dee Dee 2]

I have read, probably on BYC, that chickens should have flat roost such as a 2x4 on its side. So trying to be a good "Mom" I added a 1x4 on top of the existing pole. The chickens don't seem to care which they have. My question is ~ in a natural enviorment, with a bird roosting in the trees they will be on a round roosting surface. So why do some folks say to use a flat board ? I origionally had a branch from a tree for roosting bar. Thanks !

p.s. I do have a BIG R.C.R.I.R. roo almost the size of a J. G. I can see where a flat surface might be better for him ? ? maybe. ? ?

 

[vehve]

Mainly I think the reason is that when it's cold, they can huddle up and cover their feet more easily with a flat surface instead of a round one. Less of a chance of frostbite on the feet that way.

 

[Gayleyy]

I have branches for mine, both inside their coop and out in their run. They also have nesting boxes,a shelf that just has straw piled on it, a swing and tree stumps. Out of all of that their favorite things are the branches and tree stumps. I think that the branches are more natural to them, but I can also see how frostbite could be an issue if they roost outside. If they are in the coop though, and you add a heat lamp in really cold weather, I think frostbite would not be an issue.

 

[CrazyChickGirl]

We have only used a thick branch so far, but the chickens seem to like it. The only issues is that our branch has become a little more slick over time... Thinking we might need to replace it as it gets worn down...

 

[CrazyChickGirl]

But yes, I have some of the same questions as you about a flat board... One member told me it negatively affected his flocks feet over time and he felt branches were more natural.

 

[Dee Dee 2]

THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR FEEDBACK, BRANCHES VERSES FLAT BOARDS FOR ROOSTS. I HAD TO LAUGH A LITTLE WHEN FROSTBITE WAS MENTIONED. IT IS UNUSUAL IF WE EVEN GET A FREEZE HERE IN THE WINTER ALTHOUGH THIS PAST WINTER WE SURE DID. LOST A LOT OF TREE (PINE) BRANCHES IN A WIND STORM. THINK I WILL SAVE SOME GOOD ONES AND CHANGE OUT THE ROOST FOR THE GIRLS. I WILL OFFER BIG OL RANDY THE ROO HIS CHOISE. THE CHICKENS ARE USUALLY SMARTER THAN WE ARE WITH WHAT THEY NEED. I ALSO READ / HEARD THAT FLAT BOARDS ARE NOT GOOD FOR THEIR FEET. THANK YA KINDLY !

 

[vehve]

THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR FEEDBACK, BRANCHES VERSES FLAT BOARDS FOR ROOSTS. I HAD TO LAUGH A LITTLE WHEN FROSTBITE WAS MENTIONED. IT IS UNUSUAL IF WE EVEN GET A FREEZE HERE IN THE WINTER ALTHOUGH THIS PAST WINTER WE SURE DID. LOST A LOT OF TREE (PINE) BRANCHES IN A WIND STORM. THINK I WILL SAVE SOME GOOD ONES AND CHANGE OUT THE ROOST FOR THE GIRLS. I WILL OFFER BIG OL RANDY THE ROO HIS CHOISE. THE CHICKENS ARE USUALLY SMARTER THAN WE ARE WITH WHAT THEY NEED. I ALSO READ / HEARD THAT FLAT BOARDS ARE NOT GOOD FOR THEIR FEET. THANK YA KINDLY !

You never know, didn't the US just officially recognize climate change?