Roosting bar design

[Virginiachickens]

Hi folks
Our new 8x4x7’ coop is still being tweaked. It is tall and we can go vertical for more space but when we put roosting bar higher Big Birda used it and was stuck this morning. Any suggestions?

 

[aart]

Lower that roost?
Not a good idea to have a waterer hanging off a roost, it will get pooped in/on and may be likely to get jostled and spill.
How many birds do you have?

 

[Virginiachickens]

Not sure what I was thinking putting water there. right now there are only 4 birds in there, 3 of whom are silkies and roost on ground. Soon there will be 6 more 12 week old hens. We realize we made the coop too small but it’s very vertical so we want to maximize that. I’ve read on other threads having ladders and ramps which may help.

 

[aart]

We realize we made the coop too small but it’s very vertical so we want to maximize that. I’ve read on other threads having ladders and ramps which may help.

Tall coops are good for ventilation aspects, but chickens don't stack well. Small foot prints make for lousy landing areas.

Smaller areas also make integrating new birds much more difficult.
Best of Cluck to yas.

 

[Virginiachickens]

Oh crud. Ok thank you. Not sure what to do now but this is all very helpful.

 

[nuthatched]

Any ventilation in that coop?
Can you get a few more pictures so I can see what you're working with?

 

[KimbosKluckers]

My bars were set up similarly to this. They can get up there but need that room to fly down. So that low roost is probably in the way of that. I’d lower the high one a bit and raise the other one to the same height as each other. If someone sits on the very low one by your door, they may get pooped on but I haven’t had a problem with that. Also not sure about 10 birds in there. Good luck.

 

[aart]

Not sure what to do now but this is all very helpful.

Do you already have those six 12week old birds?
Maybe cancel the order/plans or build another coop for the silkies?

 

[Virginiachickens]

Thanks everyone. So helpful.
Here are photos. We’re going to sit down and draw out some new designs.
Water thing will be moved. Roosting bars will be moved and lowered. Little shelf thing we had for storage can become some type of roosting area.

 

[Virginiachickens]

Do you already have those six 12week old birds?
Maybe cancel the order/plans or build another coop for the silkies?

We already have them.