Roost question.

[xcalibor67]

I have read several people use everything from 2x4's to small tree's dried. i suppose a chicken would pretty much use anything you put up to roost on, but i want something comfortable for my birds, may sound trivial, but hey, i like a comfy bed(roost). Do chickens "Need something small enough to grip, or would a wider, say a 2x6 turned flat give them something more to lay/squat on? If my birds are anything like me, one weird noise i would fall off a small perch... as i waited for a reply, just thought of possibly screwing a smaller, say 1.5x1.5 on top of a 2x6 if they need a foot hold, but it would still have the 2x6 under as a wider balance board...??

 

[xcalibor67]

Thanks. well, i dont have rats/mice yet...hoping my 2 yard pups living next door to my coop are taking kindly to the flock, and hopefully may deter some rodents, predators. But one of my mains concerns was about the "Flat" foot thing..I know chickens can and will grip limbs etc, but is it really the most comfy? Lol, laugh all you want, but they say a happy chicken lays more eggs...If it hold true, i might end up installing captains chairs...

 

[Shannon93]

I would vote differently... Not sure if it matters that much, but it is healthier for chickens to sleep with flat feet. Especially if you have mice/rat issues, the pests will nibble on chicken toes Having roosts that allow for flat feet avoid this issue, as well as lets the chickens to "sit" down and cover their feet with their feathers to avoid frostbitten feet. I suppose their are pros and cons!!

 

[igorsMistress]

I used a 2x4 turne so the wide side is up.
I also have a loft area at the same level but they use the 2x4 exclusively.

 

[sunflour]

I started with rounded top 4 inch wide roosts - they seemed fine at first. But as my hen's aged, they had some issues with the rounding. I now use only 2x4 set with the 4 inches wide for them and they love those.

Also make sure not to use treated wood for the roosts

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

For what it's worth, when I had a rooster with bumble foot, the vet strongly suggested that I set up roosts of varying widths, so each chicken can find its "comfort zone". I currently have 2x4s wide-side up, but will be adding some that are turned on end, and some with the corners sanded down further, to give them that variety. Apparently flat feet when roosting can sometimes interfere with blood flow in a big bird with foot issues...

 

[LTreadwell]

Great discussion! I am still in the planning stages of my coop, so this is helping a lot. I am thinking I will put both a tree limb and a 2x4 for my roosts and see what it preferred.

For those of you that use 2x4's do you paint/seal them with anything to help keep them clean?

Thanks!

 

[Dmontgomery]

I also use 2x4 with wide side up. Cheap white wood studs from HD. In my case I think it is easier for them to all walk around to find their special spot for sleeping. I have a lot of birds and they move around a lot before finally settling in for the night. Tree branches would make for more delicate tight rope walking, in my opinion.
The only problem I have had is poo build up on the roosts. I think with a smaller branch, poo would come out the vent and hit the floor rather than land on the roost.
Production 2x4's already have a somewhat rounded edge to them, so there is no need for me to route them. I also change all out all the boards twice a year.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I have read several people use everything from 2x4's to small tree's dried. i suppose a chicken would pretty much use anything you put up to roost on, but i want something comfortable for my birds, may sound trivial, but hey, i like a comfy bed(roost). Do chickens "Need something small enough to grip, or would a wider, say a 2x6 turned flat give them something more to lay/squat on? If my birds are anything like me, one weird noise i would fall off a small perch... as i waited for a reply, just thought of possibly screwing a smaller, say 1.5x1.5 on top of a 2x6 if they need a foot hold, but it would still have the 2x6 under as a wider balance board...??

I vote small tree's out the woods---its a natural thing, like every bird uses that roost in tree's. You do not have to wait till they dry or peal them to use them. 2x4"s have 90 degree corners that I would not feel would be comfortable.

 

[xcalibor67]

well, pine would seem like the bark might get rough? Maybe a oak/poplar sapling?. Since i would need it to be 10' long, would a 4" dia. tapering to a 2" dia. be about right? I guess the birds could pick their favorite spots lol. thanks/