Roosting bars requirements

[WestTNriverrat]

I'm currently experimenting with swim noodles. My chickens are still young, so I've split small diameter swim noodles, and wrapped them around their "branches." They are easy to clean, bugs don't seem to be interested in them, and it gives the chicks somewhere soft to rest their breast.

I’d be iffy about those as they age they will get very flakey almost dust like. Could cause some issues maybe irritate eyes or cause respiratory issues. My son got some noodle dust in his eyes and it was a fiasco trying to get him relief and settled down. They were not really that old or left out in the sun. They may work perfectly I’ve just had unpleasant experience so I may be biased.

 

[WaspSlayer]

I’d be iffy about those as they age they will get very flakey almost dust like. Could cause some issues maybe irritate eyes or cause respiratory issues. My son got some noodle dust in his eyes and it was a fiasco trying to get him relief and settled down. They were not really that old or left out in the sun. They may work perfectly I’ve just had unpleasant experience so I may be biased.

Thank you for your insight! I did not know about the dust. I received several noodles for free, and are brand new...I will certainly keep an eye on them as they wear and replace them as neccessary until I run out.
Thank you!!

 

[aart]

I'm currently experimenting with swim noodles. My chickens are still young, so I've split small diameter swim noodles, and wrapped them around their "branches." They are easy to clean, bugs don't seem to be interested in them, and it gives the chicks somewhere soft to rest their breast.

Anything 'foamish' should not be used.
The birds will start pecking at them and tear them up.

 

[WaspSlayer]

Anything 'foamish' should not be used.
The birds will start pecking at them and tear them up.

That thought crossed my mind...but so far they don't seem to be interested in doing so.

 

[333113]

Another couple of variations I didn't see listed: I have a 10-12 inch shelf of 1/2 by 1 inch welded wire in some of my pens which seems to work just fine. I have plastic dog carriers with the door removed in other pens; they roost on the carrier at night and doubles as a nest box.

I do have individual buff Orpingtons and Delawares who prefer to sleep on the ground, and I find that my Crevecoeurs want to be as high as possible, so there will be some personal preferences.

I think that you will find people are more picky about where the chickens sleep than most of the chickens are. I live in the country, so I opt for practical and washable rather than classic barn look. If you are showing them or just want to minimize feather damage, be sure they have enough room to get up to their perch and stretch their wings without feathers hitting walls or other obstacles. They will need enough room on the roost to fluff out their feathers to stay warm in cold weather.

 

[aart]

That thought crossed my mind...but so far they don't seem to be interested in doing so.

Might be too tough to bite off, but keep an eye.
They really are not needed tho.

 

[WaspSlayer]

Might be too tough to bite off, but keep an eye.
They really are not needed tho.

These chickens were sorta thrusted upon me, and I have zero experience with chickens. I watched a video on how to make a hoop style chicken tractor; fortunately I had lots of PVC lying around, and my my husband found some chicken wire that as discarded at his workplace, and the neighbor gave me a tarp that blew off their gazebo during a storm (God provided all the materials we needed for these chickens). As they grew I realized they needed a place to perch at night, so I ran some more PVC pipe through the tractor and soon realized they were having a hard time staying on. That's when the idea of swim noodles came to mind. So I placed 2 pvc pipes close together, wrapped them both in swim noodles (which were once again, FREE from a stranger who had no clue I was in need of them). In the meantime, I'm using pallet wood ( you guessed it...FREE AGAIN) and some reclaimed wood and cupboard doors (FREE) from a house remodel to build a stationary coop. It has been an adventure! So..yes, please, any advice is very much welcome!! My husband says my coop looks like a third grade club house! Lol! But I'm determined to do this by myself. God gave me this flock to look after, and I know my inspirations come from HImn so I'm going to do the very best I can! Lots of prayers!!

 

[Island of Parker]

I'm currently experimenting with swim noodles. My chickens are still young, so I've split small diameter swim noodles, and wrapped them around their "branches." They are easy to clean, bugs don't seem to be interested in them, and it gives the chicks somewhere soft to rest their breast.

I tried the pool noodle thing and they pecked it too much...anything spongy like noodles and foam I would be careful to avoid...IMHO.