Roost question

[MarlaMac]

Trying to decide which is better.

Using 2x4 for roost. Currently they are position with the narrow end up (1.5 inches). I am getting ready to add an open air extension for our hot summer nights here in Central Texas.

Questioning if it is better for the chickens to rest on the wide part of the 2x4 (3.5 inches).

Any opinions? Thanks.

 

[3KillerBs]

So do you look for a certain width when getting your branches? Do you remove the bark? We have a plethora of trees - oak, mesquite, bullwood.

We used good thick ones to span 6-8 feet with support only at the ends. Somewhere between as thick as my wrist and thicker than my husband's wrist.

I know -- that's super-useful.

I didn't bother taking the bark off. It's rough enough for a good grip and not actually jagged or sharp.

Some people say that bark could give mites places to hide, but I haven't had a mite problem and figure I could just burn my perches and cut new ones.

 

[MarlaMac]

You could do a test and let the chickens tell you instead of us. I was curious and added a round standard pine pole bar in place of one of my flat 2x4's. They all didn't really want to get on it and preferred the 2x4.

I did exactly this today. I set one of my current roosts to the bigger side today. It is the only roost that does not require re-engineering to do so. I figured I could cut out 15 minutes of my husband's time, not 2 hours for this. I will do the same to my new addition. It will be an open air 4x8 with four outside next boxes. I am going to put one roost with narrow end up and the other with wide side up and which one they all clamor to sit on. The roosts will extend the entire 8 feet of the add on. Thanks.

 

[CaliforniaMountainChicks]

The wide part up is the best because chickens sleep flat footed. They don’t grasp like other birds. The wide end up is especially good for cold places and where you get frost because they can protect their toes from frostbite.

 

[3KillerBs]

You'll find many people staunchly advocating one way or the other. I'm not on either side because I use natural "branches" since pine saplings are a weed on my property while 2x4's cost money.

The owners care more than the chickens do.

 

[5Australorpasaures]

Wide side up and I come in off the edges about 1/2" to 3/4 " @ a 45 degree front and back send it through the table saw then sand the rip to round and soften the edge.

 

[Sally PB]

I wondered this too, when I set up my coop. I went with narrow side up. I have never seen any sign of frostbite on my chickens' toes. They settle down with their feathers over their feet, and you can't see their toes.

I set them this way because I'd read about chickens getting a "breast blister" on their keel bones from the bone rubbing against the roost. Some of the pictures were... graphic, to say the least.

 

[saysfaa]

So do you look for a certain width when getting your branches? Do you remove the bark? We have a plethora of trees - oak, mesquite, bullwood.

I use a sapling too. I removed the bark when I meant to build a round wood style post and beam coop. It hasn't caused problems that I can notice but if I cut another for a roost, I probably won't remove the bark. Then I can decide which seems to work better.

I used the biggest one I had because it spans over 7' with no center support. It is about 2 - 3" in diameter. They've never had sores or frozen toes (in two years.) I also haven't had any mites or anything but I don't think that has anything to do with the kind of roost they use.

I'm in the people care more than the chickens do camp.

One roosted on the top of the 1x4 boards that surround the poop board. When two others joined her (after many months), I blocked off that end. Now they all sleep on the roost despite still having six feet of 1x4 to roost on if they wanted to.

 

[Sally PB]

I am going to put one roost with narrow end up and the other with wide side up and which one they all clamor to sit on.

Please post your results.

 

[MarlaMac]

Please post your results.

I will, but we probably won't start the new add on build until sometime in May.