You have me thinking about cut logs as simple seats. We have many oak logs too irregular to mill that could be chainsawed to fit that purpose. As the logs age, the chickens can enjoy picking at the moss and bugs on them.Poor Carrots! Your house sitter may have had a bit of a panic too. I am so glad you caught it!
We have some out door roosts/benches made from some cut logs as a base with 2x4s screwed into the tops, and some 2x4s run through concrete blocks. I sit on them and the chickens come roost next to or on me.