Roosts

[AccentOnHakes]

I have heard that is it preferred to have a ladder style for the chooks to select from that just a single roost running across the coop. I'm only planning on 3 or 4 chickens. Does a single roost really cause problems?

ETA: I have another question concerning roosts. I have heard that I should use a 2x4, so I will. How do I set it up?

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l l
l l
l__l <---Sorry about that.

OR

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l l
l____l <---Sorry for that too.

So how do I set it up?

 

[Deanner03]

I had a ladder style, and all my hens roosted on one rung.
I don't think it'd be a problem.

 

[purpledonna]

I have 4 hens and 2 roosts.... one they use the other they ignore! I think it'd be fine!

 

[DaughterOfEve]

I use a single roost bar 8 feet long. The only issue to note is that when one wants to move to a new spot, they step on each other. I hammered in two one foot off shoots space evenly for them to jocky for a different spot on the roost

 

[AccentOnHakes]

Quote:
Umm...what? Could you post a picture? Sorry.

 

[edselpdx]

Flat (wide) side up for a 2 x 4 roost bar.
They actually seem to prefer to sit on top of their feet on the high, wide structure rather than wrap their toes around a dowel or narrow board.

 

[AccentOnHakes]

Hmm...interesting. Thanks!

 

[teach1rusl]

I have two roosts right now, just slightly stepped. One is a full width (3 1/2 inch) 2x4, and the other is cut down a bit, maybe 2 1/2 inches wide. They roost on both about equally. However, my coop is never below freezing, so they're not so worried about covering up their tootsies all the time. I only have 5 girls, so one roost would be fine for me. I orignally put the other (lower) one in so they could get up there easier, and haven't taken it out because they do use it.

 

[willheveland]

 

[AccentOnHakes]

Hmm...thanks for all the ideas!