roosting bar

[captbridgers]

I have seen photos of roosting bars ranging from unknown diameter tree limbs, 2x2's with rounded-off edges to simple round rods, also with indeterminate diameters. My girls have pretty large feet as they are Barred Rocks, Americanas, & Rhode Island Reds. I was wondering if I should try & make some 3x3's (from 4x4's)with rounded edges to give them a better foothold. Any suggestions from experience out there? Is there an article anywhere to which I might refer? Many thanks!! captbridgers

 

[rIrs roost]

I use 2x4's with the wide part for the hens feet to flatten out on.

 

[Donna R Raybon]

Chickens don't perch and grip with feet very strongly. Really what they do is squat more than grip. What you want is enough width for them to stand on, but not wide enough to catch manure. Actually for standard size birds a two by four turned with wide side for perching will work.

 

[Folly's place]

I use tree branches/ saplings, from 2.5" to 4" diameter, and the birds do fine. Mary