Roosting bar question

In areas where it gets cold in the winter flat 2x3s or 2x4s are better so they can keep their feet warm. I don't know if it makes much difference between 2x3s or 4s other than 3s are a little cheaper cost. I didn't round the edges of 2x4s and my chickens seem happy and comfortable.

 

I use 2x4's on the flat. Works well for me. Easy for chickens to move around on and good for warmth in winter (covering the feet).

 

Just wondering what is wrong with a good sturdy tree branch? That it what they would be using in the wild. When I kept finches I would take out the dowels in any new cage immediately and put in a natural perch. One with different thicknesses to excercise the foot.

 

we had alot of tree limbs come down some 3 4" around can I just use these? Do you use pressure treated wood?

 

I simply use tree branches or saplings about 1 1/2" thick

 

I went to a lot of effort creating two removable roosts in the coop. They fit in joist hangers and can be pulled out for cleaning. All 12 of the gang could fit on one of them and did for a month or more. Now 7-9 of them ignore the roosts and roost on the ceiling joist another foot or more above the roosts intended for them. Probably won't bother on the next coop.

 

Quote:While I did use PT 2x2 roosts in the coop, it is not required unless you plan to hose them down often. A good exterior paint or polyuretaine on bare wood is a good idea. In the run we use Ratan,(the structural material they make wicker furniture out of) about an inch and a half around. Many of the chickens use them off and on all day long. I am not sure they would like something 3-4 inches, though if that was the only choice they would adjust.

 

People are more picky than the chickens when it comes to preferred roosts. Tree branches are fine. In colder climates the bigger the branch the better. Even boards can be used. 2x3's and 2x4's all work. 2x2's will work as well, but in colder climates it's nice knowing you have something bigger for them to roost on to keep their feet from freezing.

I personally use 2 1/4'' dowels at the moment and the chickens aren't complaining. But have used 2x4's, on the flat, and that worked as well. During the day most of my chickens like to perch on the hitching posts that I made out of 4'' tree stakes.

 

Dowel pin's will work the only thing I've noticed when I used them is the chicken's had a hard time keeping their balance. Especially, in the evening while trying to figure out who sleep's where nightmare. They were falling off so I changed to 2x4 & its working better.