Roost question

[DustyChick]

I need to reconfigure my current roosting set up.
Right now I have 5 chickens roosting at night inside a 4' x 4' coop. My kids just got me 3 babies for my birthday. I realize it will be a little tight in there, especially bc the nests are also inside, but they have a covered & huge uncovered run to hang out in during the day.
Currently the bars form a "T" - with a 48" & 33" stretch. The bars are removeable so I can clean them. I'm wondering if I take the shorter section out & run 2 parallel 48" bars if that will give the girls enough room. If I stagger the height of them, will the girls on the lower bar get pooped on? Thanks!

 

[aart]

Any chance to flip the nests outside?

 

[DustyChick]

Any chance to flip the nests outside?

No, for two reasons: 1.The space behind the coop is pretty narrow. 2. My husband thinks it will be too much of a pain.

 

[aart]

My husband thinks it will be too much of a pain.

Yeah, it would be no walk in the park

 

[David61]

Ok, no box on the outside. Only one other thing to do, drop the nest box all the way down. Flat top on the nest box. Covered in vinyl floor. Its now a poop board for the new roost above it. Looks like a bit of a poop board now!

 

[rosemarythyme]

How about removing the nests entirely and putting nests out in the run? Slight bit of a pain since you'll have to think of how to protect them from the elements, but it gets them out of the way.

Realistically you don't have space to put parallel roosts without putting them right on top of the nests, which, given the poop stains, might be ok with you, but wouldn't be my preference.