Roosting

[wmillsap]

My Barred Rock can't jump up on the roost with my other hens. She is 3 months old. Should I build her a ramp or make her a lower roost? Currently the roost is about 24' off the ground.
Also I need a platform under the roost. My hens are pooping on the ground while they are sleeping and it's messy. I'm currently using pine straw from the yard. What do you suggest I make it out of. I just got hens on Sunday. 3 laying and 2 that are 3 months.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's a tiny coop, I would worry more about that. Sorry, I don't think that's near enough room, even with free ranging.

 

[MaLoTu]

I believe that she will eventually be able to make it to the roost, but adding a lower one wont hurt. There are threads in the coop area of the board that talk extensively about poop boards. You might want to check that out.

 

[wmillsap]

Ok thanks. I will check it out.

 

[Brookliner]

Make your poop board with a rim so that you can put PDZ in it. You can then scoop out like kitty litter. The PDZ also absorbes ammonia.
Below is a picture of one of my coops with a poop tray under the roosr.. good luck. I also do agree that for 5 hens you need a much bigger coop. She probably won't roost because there isn't enough room.

 

[aart]

That's a tiny coop, I would worry more about that. Sorry, I don't think that's near enough room, even with free ranging.

Ditto Dat^^^ ...x10

 

[ChickenMammX4]

Your set-up is already really small for 5 full grown hens, if you add a ramp there will be no room in that run. Since your Barred Rock can't get into that little hut, where does she go during bad weather?

Where are you located? Will they need to be inside for extended periods of time due to bad weather?

As mentioned above, there is probably no room for her to roost. You truly need something larger. I have 6 chickens, their coop is 8' x 9' (it's really 8' x 18' but 1/2 is used for storage). Their attached covered run is 8' x 16'. I don't want to add chickens because the area they have is perfect, no behavior problems & easy to keep clean.

 

[wmillsap]

It's an 8x4x5 and would hold 5 chickens, I just bought it on Saturday. And got my chickens on sunday.

 

[aart]

It's an 8x4x5 and would hold 5 chickens, I just bought it on Saturday. And got my chickens on sunday.

Take a tape measure out there...I'll bet the coop portion is about 3' x 3', based on the size of the feeder and waterer in the run portion.

Coop populations are frequently overstated or based on production size requirements.....
.....which most of us BYCers are trying to avoid as it's unhealthy in the long term.

Good articles on Space and Ventilation linked in my signature...I strongly suggest you read them.

Sorry to rain on your new chicken joy, we're here to educate even if it's painful.


Oh, yes, they do need a ramp, hard to fly thru that opening into the coop.