Roost question

[Eilsel]

I have 8 pullets. Half of them are 6 months old (2 RIR, 2 GLW) and the other half are 3.5 months (BSL). I have attached pictures of my coop setup. It is 4’ x 8’ with two 4’ roosts, 16” from the wall and 16” between each other, both about 3’ High. Their feed and water are also in there. And i have a communal external nest box that’s 1’ x 4’. I know I’m at max capacity but they have a 200 sf run and they free range on my property 90% of the day, so they’re really only in there to sleep.

The older chickens roost on the board closest to the north window (far left of picture) and they fit easily on there. The younger chickens roost on the 2x4 that’s on the east wall... only about 3 inches from the wall! I built the second roost for them but I think they’re intimidated by the big chickens though I’ve never seen the older chickens go after them. The board they sleep on is not structural and I’ve been contemplating removing it so they can’t sleep there and maybe they’ll use the roost. I can’t build another roost at the south end because then They won’t have room for the feed/water. I can’t build one long Roost along the east side because then they won’t have landing room.

So, my question I guess is should I be worried about them roosting that close to the wall? And if so, what’s the best strategy (in your estimation) to get them to use the roost?

 

[Eilsel]

 

[aart]

So, my question I guess is should I be worried about them roosting that close to the wall?

Nope.
You've got this, which is pretty good:

It is 4’ x 8’ with two 4’ roosts, 16” from the wall and 16” between each other,

They like to be at the end of roosts, which are invariably nest to the wall that supports the roost.

What you might have trouble with is access, getting up and down, when they are full grown.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The best way to get them to roost with the bigs is to wait until they mature or make the move on their own. Until then it is perfectly normal for them to be afraid to sleep on the roosts within reach of the bigs. My pullets normally make that move on their own about the time they start to lay.

I've seen chickens roost in some pretty strange places, some pretty tight. I think it is great they are sleeping there and not in a nest. That close in the poop will almost certainly stain the walls but the health department is not going o shut you down because of that.