Roost size, shape, style?

[debid]

First of all, where does one get 2X4's, most are 2X3. That being said, mine have always been happy with ash saplings 2 inches or wider in diameter, that I have cut down in our woods then space far enough apart so they don't poop on each other's heads. I cut a U-shaped piece of 2=by, which I screw into the wall on opposite sides of the coop, lay the branch in the U and use a screw in one end to keep it in place. Then when I have to clean under them all I have to do is remove the screw to get the roost out of my way.

BTY, when they are in the wild do they seek flat branches to roost on?

I also have 2-bys that I screwed to the walls in V shapes and I drop the branch ends down in the Vs. If they wiggle at all, I shape the end with a hatchet so they'll sit snugly. That way, gravity is plenty, I can just lift them out if I need to get through or replace them. I usually use sumac because it grows like weeds here, it's pretty straight, smooth without being slippery, and for my short (3-4') roosts, it doesn't matter that it's soft.

 

[MNchickaroo]

I LOVE chickens, they sleep on a poop board (see above posts) and don't even care!

All these chickens get to sleep in a coop with buddies, instead of in rows and rows of wire cages, whether it's round or flat, it's got to be a good chicken life...I guess if you can, just give them options, a flat roost and a round one, but they still might just prefer the poop board!

 

[Ghosty]

I really don't care for flat 2 x 4's because they get pooped on so much, and ya I need to add poop boards and clean the coop. I've had the tree trunks up for quite awhile and no poop to be found on them.

 

[paneubert]

First of all, where does one get 2X4's, most are 2X3.

Where does one get 2X3's? Most are 1.5X3.5

Calling it a 2 by 4 is more accurate than a 2 by 3.

 

[woodmort]

When I built my coop 30+ years ago a 2X4 was 2 by 4. I just did some repairs which required putting new studs in an existing wall and the new ones didn't fit.

 

[paneubert]

When I built my coop 30+ years ago a 2X4 was 2 by 4. I just did some repairs which required putting new studs in an existing wall and the new ones didn't fit.

Yeah. Everything is getting smaller! Haha. I think if one wants to be sure they are getting a "real" 2X4, it has to be rough cut and green. Pretty much anything that is commercially available is the smaller dimension. There was a news article a year or two back about some guy who sued Lowes and Home Depot since he was not getting his "full" 2X4. Like they were shortchanging him. Judge tossed it out of course, but it was still a little funny and gained some traction in the news for a while.

 

[woodmort]

Supposedly done to save wood but in reality it's to get more product out of the trees.

 

[debid]

I'm less bothered by 2*4s being 1.5*3.5 than I am about 12 ounces of bacon.

 

[woodmort]

I'm less bothered by 2*4s being 1.5*3.5 than I am about 12 ounces of bacon.

How about the "gallon" of ice cream?

 

[debid]

How about the "gallon" of ice cream?

That, too!