Roosting bar “tower”

[BigBlueHen53]

If the nest boxes are outside, will the eggs be safe from predators? What are the run walls made of? Hardware cloth is recommended, as chicken wire won't keep dogs, coyotes or raccoons out.

Please understand, we are not intending to be critical or to discourage you, we want to help you keep your birds both safe and comfortable. And honestly, to help keep you from making some of the mistakes we al made as newbies that sometimes resulted in losses.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes, my main concern was them flying up or down and hitting walls so we’re going to put it in their run (it’s 8ft by 18ft) and build a ladder instead and put it in the wall pictured behind the tower. It’s like 44inches wide I think that should be good if we add 2-3 bars? Maybe we can take the nest boxes out so they have more room to fly down… can nest boxes be placed outside in the run?

If it's 44" wide then 2 bars should work if they're at the same height. Or you could possibly do an L-shape (so 2 bars with an intersection at 90 degrees from the other) depending on how the coop is laid out.

Nests can be outside except it's harder to climate protect them that way, and the chickens will need access to them from sunrise on, so you will either need a reliable auto door or if the run is predator proofed to your satisfaction, leave the pop door open all the time.

Alternatively you could consider dropping the nest boxes lower (depends on how you feel about bending down to pick up eggs!) so you could drop roosts lower as well, which would reduce the amount of clearance the birds need to fly down in the morning.

 

[city_girl_farming]

If the nest boxes are outside, will the eggs be safe from predators? What are the run walls made of? Hardware cloth is recommended, as chicken wire won't keep dogs, coyotes or raccoons out.

Please understand, we are not intending to be critical or to discourage you, we want to help you keep your birds both safe and comfortable. And honestly, to help keep you from making some of the mistakes we al made as newbies that sometimes resulted in losses.

Not at all, I appreciate all your feedback. Yes the run is .fully enclosed in hardware cloth!

 

[city_girl_farming]

If it's 44" wide then 2 bars should work if they're at the same height. Or you could possibly do an L-shape (so 2 bars with an intersection at 90 degrees from the other) depending on how the coop is laid out.

Nests can be outside except it's harder to climate protect them that way, and the chickens will need access to them from sunrise on, so you will either need a reliable auto door or if the run is predator proofed to your satisfaction, leave the pop door open all the time.

Alternatively you could consider dropping the nest boxes lower (depends on how you feel about bending down to pick up eggs!) so you could drop roosts lower as well, which would reduce the amount of clearance the birds need to fly down in the morning.

Thanks! I like the L shape bars idea!!