Roosting Ladder

[ackerdl]

Hi everyone! I am building a new, larger coop for my 6 girls. I want the design to discourage pooping where they lay, so I am hoping to have the structure be a simplified version of this plan with just a roosting ladder inside instead of nesting boxes. I am planning to mount two laying boxes to the outside wall. Keeping the laying and the sleeping totally separate is the plan, but I am concerned they won't take to the ladder. Should I consider roosting bars instead?

 

[blackdog043]

As long as the roost is higher than the nest boxes, they should stay out of them, except for laying.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Pretty confusing design. A "roost ladder" is simply a roost with bars at different heights, i.e.


If you're putting nest boxes outside, are you going to be able to shelter them enough to keep rain and wind out? Will the hens have access to them from early morning to sunset?

 

[aart]

As long as the roost is higher than the nest boxes, they should stay out of them, except for laying.

Ditto Dat^^^

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

 

[aart]

so I am hoping to have the structure be a simplified version of this plan

Did you draw that?
Needs dimensions......and doesn't make sense.
Are those the nests up n the shelf?

 

[ackerdl]

Did you draw that?
Needs dimensions......and doesn't make sense.
Are those the nests up n the shelf?

https://myoutdoorplans.com/animals/simple-chicken-coop-plans/?hcb=1

It's essentially a 4 foot cube with mesh front doors and a vented back wall. Instead of the nesting boxes inside, I am going to build a large roosting ladder. This coop will sit within a large fenced and netted run. I will attach two laying boxes either inside, lower than the roosts, or on the outside wall of the coop.

 

[ackerdl]

https://myoutdoorplans.com/animals/simple-chicken-coop-plans/?hcb=1

It's essentially a 4 foot cube with mesh front doors and a vented back wall. Instead of the nesting boxes inside, I am going to build a large roosting ladder. This coop will sit within a large fenced and netted run. I will attach two laying boxes either inside, lower than the roosts, or on the outside wall of the coop.

This is the plan for the roosting ladder--no boxes at the top, though.

 

[ackerdl]

This is the plan for the roosting ladder--no boxes at the top, though.

I like these laying boxes--I have one now and will likely add another in this larger coop. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...pywRx9ybeeTI1vFzDFMQQB7QBZmbaeUhoC3PcQAvD_BwE

 

[ackerdl]

Final product!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Final product!

What is the ramp for, to get up to the roost bars? Most breeds of birds should be able to fly up, doesn't look all that high.