Roosting bar design questions

[alcarl]

2 questions.

1. Does there need to be multiple heights of bars in order for the dominant ones to feel superior? The way my tractor is laid out it will be much easier to have bars spread out but at the same height.

2. Each roosting bar will be an 8' 2X4 (laid flat) about four feet off the ground. I know they'll need a ramp to get to it but was wondering if I should have the ramp connected to a 2X4 stood on end that they could use to walk the length of the roost and get to an open spot. If so, how far away should that be from the actual roost?

Thanks!

 

[ChickenEnthusiast]

It depends, do you have photo's of the interior of the coop so its easier to tell?

 

[alcarl]

No pictures with me. But it's a 12'X20' gambrel style. Looks like this (looking in from the 12' side and the door). The red line is where I'm putting the roosts. I originally thought to put them running parallel to the long wall but it would have been cumbersome with the slanted walls.

 

[alcarl]

Actually I do have an older picture from when I was still framing it up.

 

[Buzzard Hill Chickens]

Instead of a 2x4 roosting board, you might want to consider a 2x3 board. You can get them at Home Depot or Lowe's, and they're usually a little cheaper. The 2x3 gives them plenty of perching space, and it's usually easier for them to grip the slightly thinner board when roosting.

 

[alcarl]

Instead of a 2x4 roosting board, you might want to consider a 2x3 board. You can get them at Home Depot or Lowe's, and they're usually a little cheaper. The 2x3 gives them plenty of perching space, and it's usually easier for them to grip the slightly thinner board when roosting.

Any thoughts on my other questions?

 

[saysfaa]

Roosts the same height work well. I prefer more variation in height than I have (I have a single branch with a small bend to it) but the chickens will find plenty of things to use to establish and reinforce their pecking order.

Quite a few people use one ramp for all the roosts. About 12" difference in height or horizontal space is enough to prevent one chicken from keeping the others from passing. Edit to add - maybe most of the time 12" is enough? I'm not too sure of this for all situations.

They won't be able to roost on the ends of your proposed roosts because there isn't enough vertical clearance above the roost. This may not matter depending on how many chickens you have, what breed they are, how much the individuals care about being squished, and how many roosts you have. Ideally, they should have enough space above the roosts to stretch up while standing on the roosts. Sometimes they don't care or at least don't care enough to give up something else if they have a choice.

Please give updates on what you end up doing (and why, is nice to know) and what you like and don't like about it.

 

[aart]

They don't need to be different heights.
They only need to be higher than the nests.

Here's some thoughts about.....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/

 

[alcarl]

Quite a few people use one ramp for all the roosts. About 12" difference in height or horizontal space is enough to prevent one chicken from keeping the others from passing. Edit to add - maybe most of the time 12" is enough? I'm not too sure of this for all situations.

I thought this mock-up might better help explain what's going on in my head. I'm hoping they'll use the skinny board attached to the ramp as a way to get to an open spot on the flat roosting board. You think a 12" spacing between the 2 is a good place to start? I can always move the roosting board forward or back a little bit as needed.

They won't be able to roost on the ends of your proposed roosts because there isn't enough vertical clearance above the roost. This may not matter depending on how many chickens you have, what breed they are, how much the individuals care about being squished, and how many roosts you have. Ideally, they should have enough space above the roosts to stretch up while standing on the roosts. Sometimes they don't care or at least don't care enough to give up something else if they have a choice.

They might be able to squeeze out a little further. The inner ribs are about 4" lower than the outer ones shown in the earlier photo (more like I show below). Plus they've got a little height between the rafters and the roof. I'm planning on 2 identical set-ups with each ramp starting somewhere in the middle of the coop and running towards the ends. I currently have 19 chickens that are 5 weeks old and will be moving out to the property next weekend.

 

[saysfaa]

If the mock up is to scale, they will want to roost on the skinny board because it is higher.

You might consider attaching the roosts a little lower... maybe 2 1/2' or 3' high. Then they won't need the ramp unless they are silkies, frizzles, or a massive breed. And they would still fit under the roosts.

Edit to add. I forgot about the nests. If you want them raised too, so you don't have to lean down to collect the eggs, then the roosts do need to be as high as you put them.