Roost positioning

[PrincipalLaTingleTheHen]

Hi, All you chicken lovers! This is my first post, second brood. We LOVE our chickens!

Roosts... how do we position them? I have done ramps, "stepping" up sticks/branches... I can't seem to get the positioning right so they can go from the floor to the top roosts easily and comfortably. This doesn't seem like rocket science... anyone have any suggestions on spacing and positioning? Thank you!!!!

 

[DobieLover]

Hi, All you chicken lovers! This is my first post, second brood. We LOVE our chickens!

Roosts... how do we position them? I have done ramps, "stepping" up sticks/branches... I can't seem to get the positioning right so they can go from the floor to the top roosts easily and comfortably. This doesn't seem like rocket science... anyone have any suggestions on spacing and positioning? Thank you!!!!

Can you post some pictures of your current setup?

 

[PrincipalLaTingleTheHen]

Can you post some pictures of your current setup?

Great idea and yes!

There are two crossing levels at the top. We are still using 2x 4 boards, as it is still freezing on some nights. They go up the ramp, a small jump on the stick (where our model is) then some like to jump on to the boxes then the 2 x 4 or go directly to the 2 x 4. I have tried pulling the stick out further, adding a stick on the right from front to back... then getting down they sound like a herd of elephants. I don't want them to get hurt either. We have 9 hens and 4 chicks growing quickly. Thank you sooo much for your time!

 

[RoosterML]

I have a few ideas for you to try.
#1 - lower your roosting boxes to just above your door if possible. This will really help your problems.
#2 try to keep the roosting bar that you have in front of the boxes about 6” away from the front of the box. You seem to have a lot more space.
#3 get that wire shelving as a ramp out of there. Make a real ramp with a flat board with cleats. That wire is bad.
#4 your roost are way to high. Lower them to just above the roosting boxes. About 6” above boxes gives you room to scrape off.
Install ramp to top of boxes.
Here is a photo to give you an idea.
In general lower everything as it is way to high.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yeah I'd consider lowering the roosts to just above nest box height. They seem pretty high for the amount of space in there.

 

[PrincipalLaTingleTheHen]

I have a few ideas for you to try.
#1 - lower your roosting boxes to just above your door if possible. This will really help your problems.
#2 try to keep the roosting bar that you have in front of the boxes about 6” away from the front of the box. You seem to have a lot more space.
#3 get that wire shelving as a ramp out of there. Make a real ramp with a flat board with cleats. That wire is bad.
#4 your roost are way to high. Lower them to just above the roosting boxes. About 6” above boxes gives you room to scrape off.
Install ramp to top of boxes.
Here is a photo to give you an idea.
In general lower everything as it is way to high.
View attachment 2088339

Ah ha! I have to laugh... I never thought about the overall height. THANK YOU! I wondered about the wire shelf.

You are the best! I will make the adjustments and repost the final. Again, thank you so much! I certainly know I have the time to make it right! The chickens thank you, too!

 

[PrincipalLaTingleTheHen]

Ah ha! I have to laugh... I never thought about the overall height. THANK YOU! I wondered about the wire shelf.

You are the best! I will make the adjustments and repost the final. Again, thank you so much! I certainly know I have the time to make it right! The chickens thank you, too!

Oh, and thank you for taking the time with the sketch. You're fabulous!