round roost?? like a pine tree with limbs cut back

[alibraun]

hi, still working on chicken cabin, ladder roost works but takes a lot of space. has anyone have an idea if tree roost in coop would work well??

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Best roosts are 2 x 4's with the chicken sitting on the largest side of them (flat) so that they can keep toes warm in winter.

 

[BantamLover21]

The chickens would probably use it, but flat roosts are better--when they sit on them, chickens keep their toes warm in cold weather. For my bantams, I use a 2" x 2" piece of wood. My large-fowl can use the same type, but a 2 x 4 also works well with them.

 

[alibraun]

I currently use ladder type with round dowels, they had their feet well covered,but if I have any issues I will switch to flat.but the idea we have is a roost pole, like a tree, that's what I curious of.make it so several could b on a limb

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Round roosts are the most natural
When a perching bird's legs bend, the tendons on the back of the leg cause the toes to curl, so they can grip while being totally relaxed

More Physics, some Natural Science, and a little Geometry:

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q...2F8E003FC7F45B5F75EB6F3248862&selectedIndex=0

http://www.projectbeak.org/adaptations/feet_perching.htm
Quote:

 

[Ridgerunner]

Here's an old shot of mine. I don't have any problems with tree limbs as roosts.

The only concern I'd have with pine is if it is fresh. The resin might cause some problems with them standing in it. If the limb is dead that should not be a problem at all since the resin will have dried up.

 

[Hokum Coco]

Tree branches are in fact more natural and possibly superior in the long run. I will be changing mine (once I devise a way to rest them in cups with out spinning). Thank you for the heads up Bear Foot Farm. On second thought I will probably round off a 2x2 and leave the ends square.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Mine don't spin. Drill a hole in the roost and the support and put a big nail through. The bigger the limb the bigger the nail.

 

[sepaditty1]

I built my run around a tree. My girls roost in it every night. They love it. I've been trying to think of a way to cover my run, but let them keep their tree. Ideas?

 

[alibraun]

thank u all for the input on this!! I have no pine trees but was trying to get my point across, kinda hard to describe what he tells me n I envision, have many types of dead falls from storm in June, over 40! elm will b center post with possible hickory,maple,buckeye,oak,etc for limbs. will post pic once its started and finished. now I have dilemma with coop door for girls, he wants one way I want slider n pulley