Roosts in the run.

[HenryHughes]

So I'm wanting to put some roosts in the actual run as during summer our chickens often sleep outside of the coop. I was thinking something along the lines of sinking a small dead tree in concrete into the middle of the run. Anybody do anything similar? Also any pictures whatsoever of roosts you have in the run would be extremely helpful.

 

[bfrancis]

A dead tree would rot at some point and fall over if placed in concrete. Then you would have a big concrete "block" to dig out and do it all over again. I have placed a good sized hickory branch in my run with multiple limbs just laying on its side. My flock will roost in the limbs on and off all day. I still lock the flock up at night due to "bad things in the dark" that like to eat poultry. (or where I live in anyway.) hope this helps.

When I figure out the loading photo thing I'll try to get you a couple.

 

[gallina man]

i have roosts in my run they sit on during the day going to start putting in otherthings a few big rocks too

 

[elmo]

I approached this subject two different ways. In one of my runs, I used two shelf brackets to attach a natural tree branch to the side of my coop. In the other pen, I used tree branches that were long enough to reach from one side of the run to the other, and attached the branch at the ends to to two of the wooden upright supports of the pen, using those "L" shaped fasteners. It was a little fiddly to do, but it worked and it's quite secure.

 

[bfrancis]

Quote:
I finally got my BYC page up, if you go there you can see some photos of the branch I've used for an outside roost. Hope this might give you aa couple of ideas...good luck with whatever you might decide....

 

[Monk]

The run roost is positioned away from the sides to avoid predators. Also too small for all the birds to roost at once to discourage them from roosting in the run at night, which hasn't been a problem. They do use it quite a bit.

 

[bfrancis]

Nice set up Monk! How many birds does your coop hold?

 

[Jen71]

I have a question for you guys who have coops/runs like the one Monk has here....

At night do you go in and close up that door to the run? Or do you just leave it open all day and night for your chicks to come and go as they please?
If your run is secure, do you need to lock the chickens inside the coop anyway?

 

[BankerJohn]

My coop and run are all on one. The entire structure is secure. Here are some pics...

and a pic from the clean out door, under the roost bars...

 

[newchicksnducks]

My coop was originally a childs club house 6 feet in the air. It was "chopped down", moved to new site, and remodeled. The original entrance was from underneath the clubhouse, and the original ladder is now placed on it's side in the run for a "sunning roost". The girls do like to sit out there and absorb that early spring sun and heat. We have welded wire for the run similar to Monks. We lock the pop door up every night before dark. The one time we left the ducks we had outside (long story!) they were dead by morning Too late, we learned weasel did live in our suburban area, and they can fit in an opening the size of your wrist (circle your wrist w/your fingers...not that big of a circle, is it?) I would not leave my girls out at night, unless I were prepared to loose a few...