Roosts (and such) design help!

[MiaS]

If I have a 6' wide Wood's coop and intend to have 6 hens is a roughly 64" roost long enough? I'm planning on a 24" x 64" poop board but at 24" deep I'm not sure that is enough depth for more than one roost bar. I've seen some that are two level, like a ladder but can't see how the upper chickens don't poop on the lower ones.

Also does anyone have suggestions for how high off the poop board a roost should be? I'm thinking about 8" but not sure if that is the right height.

 

[sharondoright]

there are lots of posts here about coop design. My roost bar is about 24" off ground. I have standard sized hens. I also had a higher bar which was really a roof support beam that most of my kids roosted on in the old coop. I plan about 12" of space per bird. My new coop has 15' of roost, and my 11 hens all cuddle at one end, spread across the main roost, and the support bar. You want the roost to be higher than the nest boxes...

the cross / support beams really help the girls as they get positioned as well. Roost is low enough for them to jump up or down, but with cross beams, they can walk down roost bar and get out of each other's way as well.

 

[DobieLover]

If I have a 6' wide Wood's coop and intend to have 6 hens is a roughly 64" roost long enough? I'm planning on a 24" x 64" poop board but at 24" deep I'm not sure that is enough depth for more than one roost bar. I've seen some that are two level, like a ladder but can't see how the upper chickens don't poop on the lower ones.

Also does anyone have suggestions for how high off the poop board a roost should be? I'm thinking about 8" but not sure if that is the right height.

Hi.
64" should be enough room for 6 chickens.
I had my roost 10" over the board but found that hens jockeying for position were easily pecked in the head when passing those already perched. I raised the roost to 13.5 inches and that really helped. It also made it a bit easier for me to clean the boards in the morning with my kitty litter scoop.

 

[MiaS]

Hi.
64" should be enough room for 6 chickens.
I had my roost 10" over the board but found that hens jockeying for position were easily pecked in the head when passing those already perched. I raised the roost to 13.5 inches and that really helped. It also made it a bit easier for me to clean the boards in the morning with my kitty litter scoop.

Oh interesting. I looked at making them a bit higher but worried about them getting up there. This is good to know.

 

[MiaS]

there are lots of posts here about coop design. My roost bar is about 24" off ground. I have standard sized hens. I also had a higher bar which was really a roof support beam that most of my kids roosted on in the old coop. I plan about 12" of space per bird. My new coop has 15' of roost, and my 11 hens all cuddle at one end, spread across the main roost, and the support bar. You want the roost to be higher than the nest boxes...

the cross / support beams really help the girls as they get positioned as well. Roost is low enough for them to jump up or down, but with cross beams, they can walk down roost bar and get out of each other's way as well.

Any chance you can show me what you mean by 'cross beams'?

 

[sharondoright]

Any chance you can show me what you mean by 'cross beams'?

first pic is the access door with landing - ladder on other side that chicken is stepping out onto. Next pic shows center of roost area - long beam to roost and cross beams to support the roost. Chickens all huddle down at far end - I used lag bolts to connect the 2x4 to supports, and to each other at middle. I can pull the bolts out (not secured with nuts) if I need to change the boards, or whatever.

This is the long (intended) roost bar - I put a bar at mid point, and at each end to support the bar...

 

[MiaS]

first pic is the access door with landing - ladder on other side that chicken is stepping out onto. Next pic shows center of roost area - long beam to roost and cross beams to support the roost. Chickens all huddle down at far end - I used lag bolts to connect the 2x4 to supports, and to each other at middle. I can pull the bolts out (not secured with nuts) if I need to change the boards, or whatever.
View attachment 1812458 View attachment 1812455 View attachment 1812458
This is the long (intended) roost bar - I put a bar at mid point, and at each end to support the bar...View attachment 1812455

Oh I see. So you've essentially created multiple roosting bars by adding in the perpendicular supports?

 

[sharondoright]

Yes - unintentional... lol Even in my first 4x8 coop, birds roosted on the roof supports, rather than the roosting ladder my dh made for them.

 

[aart]

If I have a 6' wide Wood's coop and intend to have 6 hens is a roughly 64" roost long enough? I'm planning on a 24" x 64" poop board but at 24" deep I'm not sure that is enough depth for more than one roost bar. I've seen some that are two level, like a ladder but can't see how the upper chickens don't poop on the lower ones.

Also does anyone have suggestions for how high off the poop board a roost should be? I'm thinking about 8" but not sure if that is the right height.

It's not really, if you want to catch all the poops.

8" works for me, but I use a short hoe to drag stuff from back of board.

Why is board only 64" in a 72" wide coop?

 

[MiaS]

It's not really, if you want to catch all the poops.

8" works for me, but I use a short hoe to drag stuff from back of board.

Why is board only 64" in a 72" wide coop?

72" is the outside dimension and I've chosen to insulate so that brings my interior dimension down by several inches...I'm still a bit unsure about using poop boards at all. I'm hoping to perfect the DLM so the only reason I'm considering a poop board at all is that I was thinking it would allow me to place my water or nest box under it without having it covered in manure.