Roost preferance?

[HEChicken]

I have been wondering this myself. I hear different things all the time. I have round dowels in my chicken coop because that is what the plan called for. And I have tree branches in the run. They seem fine on both (I was wondering if a dowel is not ideal for the chickens?). In my turkey house I did have a 2x2 for a roost when they were a little smaller I just recently put a very large tree branch in the coop for roosting. And an even larger one in the run. They seen to do fine on both also.

For my question:
I am building a new coop. And it will house standards and bantams (Marans and Japanese bantams) So what should I do for a roost for them? I was thinking a 2x4 but doing it the skinny side up. Is that ok? does anyone with standards and bantams do anything special?

Dowels are harder for them to grip because being ground-dwelling birds, their feet are more used to being flat, compared to flying, tree-dwelling birds, whose feet are designed to grip a round branch.

A 2x4 with the wide side for them to sit on is the best. This allows for their feet to be flat, so that they can fully cover them in the winter and keep them warm.

 

[CluckyCharms]

I was told that they shouldn't roost on anything that isn't flat and smooth. =/ Apparently the barked branches and unsanded roosts will encourage bumblefoot because they can create 'sores' for the bacteria to get in. The dowels encourage it because they have to grip repeatedly to stay on, which can cause bumblefoot over a period of time as they wear on the pads of their feet. Anything sharp, rough or heavily textured shouldn't be used as roosting material.

That's just what I was told, I know nothing from personal experience...going on hearsay.

 

[fishnet1971]

I sanded down the 2 X 6's to make sure there were no burrs or splinters of wood. I also did this with my 6 inch round dowls and the 2 X 4's. Just used a piece of 60 grit and hand sanded. easy to do and a good assurance of no bumblefoot from splinters. I have officially had all 3 types of roost/perches over the last 2 1/2 years and am confident in saying they prefer the 2 X 6 with the flat side the best. Bunch of spoiled brat fat so's. It seems to be the most stable and just preferred by them. Now I gotta go find a carpet remenant to cover them with for the winter. lol

 

[MsChickenMomma]

I have used 2x4's since the beginning. That what they can lay down better and they don't have to curl up there feet all night. My rooster who hangs out in my barn always chooses to roost on 2x4's instead of the skinnier things in the barn. I think 2x4's is what they prefer more.

Unless they are really young. When my hens (and Roosters) were young they used to roost on the handles of my wheelbarrows.

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

Does anyone know why hens would refuse to sleep in a coop? I let a broody raise three Andalusian's 20 weeks back. And in a separate coop to keep them safe from the other adults. I'll put a photo at the bottom. But I'm thinking that they don't like that their tails touch the side of the inside of the coop when they are inside.

One sleeps down in the pine shavings and the other two up in a tree in their run. They are safe in the tree. But it's really starting to get cold and I feel bad for them. So the last two nights, I've scooped everyone up and put them in the bigger coop with the big hens. There was a little drama the first night as the big hens had to accept them.

I'm just wondering how many nights I'm going to have to show them the new place to sleep before they go their automatically? Or will they ever? Maybe Andalusians are just too wild to want to sleep inside a coop?