Roosting bar advice

[apoe]

I have watched videos and looked here but I am asking anyway. I am working on my shed conversion and looking for advice on height and distance for roosting bars. As I have them mocked up lowest bar is about 23in high others about the same and about 15in on center top bar is 20in below roof. I have 12 chickens top bars are just shy of six feet long. Are bars too far up from lower ones for them to make the jump up? I wouldn't think so since they have no problems jumping flapping to get on my arms in run. Roosty MADE me ask he really wants me to know.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I am not a fan of ladder-style roosts because 1) all the chickens naturally want to roost on the highest bar anyway, 2) the heavier breeds have to jump down onto each bar to get to the floor which is hard on their feet and legs, 3) lighter breeds will fly farther out to get down to the floor which could mean a collision with the wall, etc., and 4) they can be too high for the keepers to reach the birds.

I suggest keeping all roosting bars at one height that is low enough for you to easily go in and grab your birds for examination, medication, etc., and at a height that they can jump straight down to the floor with plenty of bedding for padding so they don't hurt themselves.

 

[DobieLover]

I would go with "L" or U-shaped poop boards with roosts centered over them about a foot higher than the board. What size is that coop? It does not look like you can walk in it.

 

[C Siena]

This is our set up in a coop 8x8x9. U shaped roosts and poop boards around. We had the step ladder in there for the 6-7 week olds to be able to get up. It is now out of there. Also a poop board on the back wall.

 

[apoe]

I would go with "L" or U-shaped poop boards with roosts centered over them about a foot higher than the board. What size is that coop? It does not look like you can walk in it.

Coop/shed is 10x12. Plan was bars where they are, auto door under window, maybe hang food water on other side off window nesting boxes on right wall and deep bedding.

I would go with "L" or U-shaped poop boards with roosts centered over them about a foot higher than the board. What size is that coop? It does not look like you can walk in it.

 

[C Siena]

Coop/shed is 10x12. Plan was bars where they are, auto door under window, maybe hang food water on other side off window nesting boxes on right wall and deep bedding.

You have room!
You can always change to different roosts if you find the ladder doesn't work for you and your flock.

The picture below is our first small coop, when we bought it used. The only birds that used the bottom one, were the 2 additional pullets (10 months) we purchased. They stayed there or on the floor for 2-3 weeks and they wanted to be on top. Of course, not enough room, so we added roost space on the back wall, in the 2nd pic.
To the top left of the yellow hen, you can see a Buckeye and another hen. 3-4 hens want to be at the Very highest they can roost. So we put two 2' roosts up there.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ladder style can work (does ok for me) but yes birds will tend to want to crowd up high.

I'd change the angle on the entire thing, it's hard to tell from a photo but it should be 45 degrees or less (steeper the angle the higher chance of birds up top pooping on ones below). That might let you move the bars a bit closer so that the top roost isn't up that high, to reduce landing space needed and reduce risk of leg and foot injury, as it's the horizontal spacing between roosts that you want to be mindful of (aim for 14-16" or more)