Roost

[Crazychickengirl2]

Is a roost truly needed? If so why? We have a tall egg laying box/renavated shelf, will that work?

 

[nuthatched]

Truly needed, no but your birds will be happier and cleaner. You don't want them nesting in or on top the nest boxes. :]

 

[David61]

They will roost any where. The highest spot accessible in most cases. now that said, 70% of poop happens while the bird is on the roost so where do you want 70% of your poop to fall?
Pick your roost to manage the poop. A roost is not needed. A roost is used to get the birds to poop where you want.

 

[3KillerBs]

Chickens poop while they sleep.

If they're in a pile on the floor, in a nest, or on a shelf they'll be sitting in their poop all night and end up with messy rear ends -- potentially leading to flystrike.

In the wild chickens roost in trees. In our coops we should, optimally, give them the option to engage in as many natural behaviors as are consistent with good management.

 

[FC16]

How big is your coop? You can use a lot of different things as a roost and put them up quite easily, even if you can find a sturdy and thick branch somewhere you could use that. Or some old unused wood for free from somewhere can be cleaned and attached up.
If you have access to a drill + some screws you’d probably be able to just watch a video or something guiding you how to drill it up.
It will definitely benefit your chickens and make things cleaner

Just to add to that another option (if you can find the materials for the roost) is to buy a couple brackets, which can be bought quite cheap and the wood your using just simply slots in

 

[3KillerBs]

Yeah but the problem is my dad won’t make me one

One of my no-construction roosts, which is made from 2 concrete blocks and a chunk of pine sapling.

 

[David61]

Chickens poop while they sleep.

If they're in a pile on the floor, in a nest, or on a shelf they'll be sitting in their poop all night and end up with messy rear ends -- potentially leading to flystrike.

In the wild chickens roost in trees. In our coops we should, optimally, give them the option to engage in as many natural behaviors as are consistent with good management.

Man started out living in a cave. My man cave has no rocks or animal furs. My Grandma said if i wanted to act like a wild caveman, i would have to do it outside.
I use 2x4s for my roost. Chickens want to act like cavemen they can do it outside my coop.

 

[FC16]

Yeah but the problem is my dad won’t make me one

How big is your coop? You can use a lot of different things as a roost and put them up quite easily, even if you can find a sturdy and thick branch somewhere you could use that. Or some old unused wood for free from somewhere can be cleaned and attached up.
If you have access to a drill + some screws you’d probably be able to just watch a video or something guiding you how to drill it up.
It will definitely benefit your chickens and make things cleaner

 

[saysfaa]

Picture?

Or check clearances... they sometimes like to squish into spaces but usually like to be able to stretch so 12" behind, in front of and, if there is more than one roost bar, between the bars usually works better. Also similar clearances to the sides and above. They need take off and landing space - usually clear floor space out to a 45 degree angle (3' out if it is 3' high, for example). And they may need to see that it has clearances enough.

The heavier the chicken, the lower the roost needs to be.

If it is not noticeably higher than an alternative, they tend to pick the alternative.

Chickens don't like change; it may take a while for them to get used to the roost being there or to get brave enough to try it.

There could be other reasons - that is why the picture could help.

 

[FC16]

Ok he finally made one but their not roosting on it!

They don’t always instantly figure out where they’re supposed to be, especially when they’ve been used to not roosting for so long. Move them onto it every night, although it’s annoying they’ll eventually get it