Roost Questions

[AmyJane725]

For 45 degrees, the height up is the length out.

Derp. I'll just be quiet now.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Going to start by saying some people like a ladder roost system and others like having all roosts at same height. Both can work, but I don't know if one is "optimal" - probably depends on each individual flock and set up.

However, if you are going to make the roost much higher than two feet, staggering several roosts like stairs at varying heights will make it easier for the chickens to get up and down from the roost without injuring themselves.

Most of my chickens scoff at the idea that they need help down and simply jump off the top.

Let's say for arguments sake that I have one roosting bar 8 ft long. Clearly they should all be able to fit. Wouldn't having multiple roosts (some at lower elevations) just encourage them to fight/put lower ranking hens down on the lower bars? If I can fit them all on one bar would this be the best course of action?

I would argue in favor of having a second bar (same height, different height, length doesn't really matter... well, aim for 12" per bird if possible, but anything beyond that is gravy) because if there are pecking order issues, that at least gives the pecked on bird somewhere they can safely roost.

I also ended up with a bird that's "special" that uses the lower roost by herself. She's not the bottom ranked bird but physically cannot make it onto the top roost.

 

[AmyJane725]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but could I have a ramp leading up to the roost if it's too high, rather than having multiple lower roosts, or will they just sleep on the ramp then?

 

[rosemarythyme]

You can use a ramp, whether or not the chickens choose to use it is another thing. In my first coop, I simply had a sturdy branch placed at a diagonal from the floor to the roost, and they used it until they decided they were big enough to just fly up instead.

 

[llombardo]

I would take into consideration the breeds of chicken. Some can get higher no matter what and others are not able to because of size. My silver lace rooster is good at about 3 ft. He may go higher but that is where a"ladder" system would be necessary.

 

[AmyJane725]

Well, the heaviest bird I'm planning on currently should be 8.5 lbs. Though I would like to have the infrastructure available if I wanted a big Cochin rooster someday (11lbs).

 

[aart]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but could I have a ramp leading up to the roost if it's too high, rather than having multiple lower roosts, or will they just sleep on the ramp then?

They are most likely going to want to roost as high as they can get, I have never had a bird roost on a ramp...but I have lots of roosts, more than are shown here.
The ramps go to a platform that is 16" high, the birds can go under the platform so it doesn't take away floor space:

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[Alaskan]

You can use a ramp, whether or not the chickens choose to use it is another thing. In my first coop, I simply had a sturdy branch placed at a diagonal from the floor to the roost, and they used it until they decided they were big enough to just fly up instead.

You don't need a ramp, you could use just a step.

For example I have a log on end, about 1 foot high, for my first step.

 

[AmyJane725]

You don't need a ramp, you could use just a step.

For example I have a log on end, about 1 foot high, for my first step.

I think I've seen some chickens hop up from the top of a closed top bucket before. The log is a good idea.

 

[Shadrach]

Free range chickens don't necessarily choose to roost on the highest branches of a tree.
The bantams here for example have 'favorite' branches. Such branches seem in general to have good cover above, are thick enough to be stable and allow a relatively unrestricted fight path to the ground, so the higher the better would seem not to apply in certain circumstances. In small coops, which is what I have, I keep the roost bars at a height that enables even the heaviest fowl to jump onto them rather than fly.
I've found two heights of roost bars helpful when chicks grow old enough to be interested in perching rather than huddling in nest boxes. The adults tend to favor a higher perch and this can allow chicks to perch without competing for space with the adults.
If you are not going to have new fowl or youngsters arriving in your flock then I agree with the other who suggest multiple perches at one height.
The breed of the fowl and their age also influences where they will perch. I have a few 'old girls' who just can't make it to high perches and in small coops ladders are not really an option.
I build my coops off the ground and supply a ramp into the coop. I think this gives the chickens an impression that they are roosting well above ground which is part of what I imagine is important to them.