Roosts - Need help

[Acre4Me]

Building coop at this moment. We've talked through several ideas on roost bars, but have not settled on one way, so please help!

Coop is 6x10, door on 6' side (set to the side - not the middle).

Coop has one window (approx 2.5feet wide) close to edge on 10' wall.

Coop is 6' tall on one side and 8' tall on other (slanted roof).

Seems there are 2 main methods of roost bars:
1. single bars, all same level with poop trays underneath

2. Ladder style. side to side in stepped format, slanted, on one wall.

3. Other?

In process a week ago. This is side where door will go.

backside:

 

[jthornton]

I'd put one 12" or more from the door running across the 6' dimension with a 24" wide poop board under that with Sweet PDZ on the poop board, both removable for access to the rest of the coop. Elevated coops that are less than 6' inside height are a pain to clean so make the daily cleaning as easy as possible.

If the photo is misleading and you can walk in then place it 12" or more from any wall with a poop board under. All the birds will want to be on the highest level they can when going to the roost.

JT

 

[Acre4Me]

Here it is in its current state:

 

[Acre4Me]

I'd put one 12" or more from the door running across the 6' dimension with a 24" wide poop board under that with Sweet PDZ on the poop board, both removable for access to the rest of the coop. Elevated coops that are less than 6' inside height are a pain to clean so make the daily cleaning as easy as possible.

If the photo is misleading and you can walk in then place it 12" or more from any wall with a poop board under. All the birds will want to be on the highest level they can when going to the roost.

JT

OK. Just posted a few more pics. Also, to the side of the door (where it is currently covered), you can see the horizontal support that will frame out the multi-bird nest box of your design @jthornton.

 

[jthornton]

Can you walk inside there upright?

JT

 

[Acre4Me]

Can you walk inside there upright?

JT

Yes. Here is an adult standing in the doorway. I think the door way is nearly 6 feet.

 

[kesrchicky16]

My coop is very simlar. I just mounted boards to the walls back far enough that i wouldn't have to walk under them. I have one about four feet off the ground in the back and to about 6 feet off the ground in front of that so there a 16 inches apart because of the studs. I also have a nesting table about two feet off the ground so they use that as the first step to get up to the roosts.

 

[Acre4Me]

My coop is very simlar. I just mounted boards to the walls back far enough that i wouldn't have to walk under them. I have one about four feet off the ground in the back and to about 6 feet off the ground in front of that so there a 16 inches apart because of the studs. I also have a nesting table about two feet off the ground so they use that as the first step to get up to the roosts.

OK. Thanks, good idea. I won't be able to go 6 feet high, since I will need to keep it lower so the birds will not be in front of the openings (the large triangles above the walls) - these are covered in HWC, but will be cold in the winter. I wonder how close to the upper openings (triangles) I can get while still having the birds out of the draft? I do expect that I will need to cover the triangle opening above the door in the winter as much of the prevailing winds will come from that direction. Hoping to be able to leave the other one open for ventilation (although the eaves are also ventilated (covered in HWC).

 

[jthornton]

OK. Thanks, good idea. I won't be able to go 6 feet high, since I will need to keep it lower so the birds will not be in front of the openings (the large triangles above the walls) - these are covered in HWC, but will be cold in the winter. I wonder how close to the upper openings (triangles) I can get while still having the birds out of the draft? I do expect that I will need to cover the triangle opening above the door in the winter as much of the prevailing winds will come from that direction. Hoping to be able to leave the other one open for ventilation (although the eaves are also ventilated (covered in HWC).

Instead of covering the vent put something in front of it to block the wind but still allow ventilation. Sounds like you have plenty of ventilation. Now that I see the scale (the human made it easier to judge) I'd keep a walkway on the door side clear and put the roosts on the other side and possibly along the back wall.

JT

 

[Acre4Me]

Instead of covering the vent put something in front of it to block the wind but still allow ventilation. Sounds like you have plenty of ventilation. Now that I see the scale (the human made it easier to judge) I'd keep a walkway on the door side clear and put the roosts on the other side and possibly along the back wall.

JT

Thanks @jthornton. What do you mean "Instead of covering the vent put something in front of it to block the wind but still allow ventilation."? Can you give a suggestion? Thx.