Roost- Round or Square?

[Chickenfeet]

We have all heavy breed chickens( Leg horns, Buff O, BR, ECT... ) When we built our coop, we were told that the roost should be round. If it wasn't, it would do some type of damage to their feet. My chickens seem to have a hard time walking across it. Can I use a fairly narrow square board instead of the round our 1 1/2 " dowel.

 

[ella]

Actually flat works better for them. When they relax and sleep their feet lay flat, they don't grip like other birds. They can sleep on a round roost but given the choice they'll go for flat.

 

[WriterofWords]

My roost is wide oval shaped closet rod. It's not flat or round and they love it.

 

[jbowen9]

Just think of mother nature never seen a flat tree branch in the wild and you can bet if your chickens are loose they will be roosting in a tree I always cut small saplings out of the woods for my roost poles when they get too dirty i just replace them

 

[patandchickens]

On the whole this does not seem to be one of the most crucial decisions, as chickens will seemingly make do with almost whatever.

While tree branches in nature are, obviously, not square

, they are also not necessarily thinnish (like 2") dowel type things. Chickens do not naturally seem to hang on with their feet all night like a parrot would; they do well with, some would say 'seem to appreciate', a wide-ish roost, such as a 2x4 or a *larger* diameter tree branch.

In areas with cold winters where frostbite is an issue, using the wide side of a 2x4 or a 5-6"+ diameter tree branch (bark removed) helps keep toes warm. Also they just seem to like that sort of roost.

A 2x2 or 2x4 should not have sharp corners; but roundED edges is not the same as ROUND, necessariily, you know?

Pat

 

[redoak]

A 2x4 with the wide side up works well for a roost. It's wide enough that chickens lay on their feet and keep them warm in the winter.

 

[Dawn419]

I'll 3rd what redoak and ella say about flat roosts being better for the chickens.

We just use 2" x 4" with the 4" side up as the roost...works like a charm!


Dawn

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

I used big thick round posts that I got when cutting down some shrubbery and brush here at the house around the yard. I would guess that mine are atlease 3 inches thick.
If you ever notice that when a chicken is trying to gain balance on a roost the toes curle? its a natural responce that the little chicken brain produces to keep rooster while sleeping. I think a round roost works better for them. They naturaly grip things with the toes. Like we do with our hands.

 

[silkiechicken]

I agree with wide flat roosts, if you ever have a calm bird get comfortable on your arm, the feet will disappear and you'll just feel the keel resting on your arm. Tilt them off balance and yes they will grip in, but I think it's more restful to be able to not worry about falling off.

 

[rachaelc]

I didn't like the inability to clean up well on the 2x4's. My husband grabbed some pvc pipe suitable for their size of feet and we suspended that and VOILA! It worked very well. And easy to clean.