Roosting bars above nesting boxes?

[Chapman Family]

Hello,

Being a newbie can be a bit overwhelming. There is so much information to read about and often times the information being discussed is contradictory.
Please give advise about the interior set up of a new coop. Does the roosting bars need to be above nesting boxes? All information and opinions welcomed. I like to hear out many opinions and then see what might work best for my family and new flock.

Thank you!

 

[sourland]

Roosting bars should be higher than the nests, but not necessarily above the nests. Having them higher is important because chickens like to roost at the highest point possible. If the nests are higher than the roosts, they are likely to roost/poop in the nests.

 

[OlympicChick]

The problem with having the bars over the boxes is the amount of poop that will collect on the boxes. If you are thinking of this configuration in order to save space, and there is room under the bars and over the nest boxes, you could consider poop boards.

 

[aart]

Being a newbie can be a bit overwhelming. There is so much information to read about and often times the information being discussed is contradictory.

Yes, yes, it is......like getting a sip of water out of a firehose, you're gonna get soaked

Much is 'contradictory' because different things work for different scenarios, keepers, and climates. You've just got to keep a shaker of salt around, take some notes, and use some common sense.
I highly recommend sketching out your coop plans on graph paper.

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