Roosts

[Candy @ SKC]

I have researched this to death!!! I still don't know what to choose. My husband bought me a "fancy" chicken coop a little over a year ago. I love having and caring for them. I want to put a roost (or 2) in their run. Not only is branch or lumber a question, but it has all created a new concern. Everything I read about using a 2x4 says let them roost on the 4" side. The "fancy coop" has them roosting o the 2" side. Should I attempt to change it - after a year?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Different people have different opinions on this. Some insist that you have to use a 2x4 flat side up. Others strongly feel that the only roost that works is a round one. At least one person thinks a 1 x 2 is best, I think flat side up. They can all quote reasons why their way is best.

A few years ago I did some experimenting, using different things to see what the chickens preferred. My conclusion was that people care about this a lot more than the chickens do. Both height of the roosts and location in the coop were more important to them than what they roosted on. Mine really like to be by the window. My current roosts ar etree limbs and 2x4's on edge like yours.

If you wish you can change those to flat 2x4's. It will not hurt your chickens, at least in my opinion. You will make some people on here happy.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If the chickens are roosting consistently, absolutely no reason to change it.

And there is no "right" answer. Chickens will perch on almost anything. It's more about the location of roost bars and not the shape or size.

 

[Candy @ SKC]

Thank you. It's probably true that I care more about this than my chickens do
I think I'll try wood first, since they roost on that in the coop.

 

[blackdog043]

What ever you chose, I'm sure they will roost on it. You could put an old wooden chair in the run and they will roost on that.

I have a flat 2 x 4 for the main roost, the front of my poop board is 1.5 inches wide and I have tree branches in my run. They roost on everything, no need to over think it.

 

[Ghosty]

I like round or on edge roosts better than flat because the chickens don't poop on the roost as easily. Flat boards catch alot more poop. I still have a couple I need to change out. I'd keep yours just like they are.