Our coop has two roosts each about 6 1/2 feet long, 1 above the other. Our 12 pullets (14 weeks old) all sleep on the upper roost. This makes me feel good as they all get along and no one has been bumped to a lower roost, which I believe relates to pecking order. As they get bigger I assume they won't all fit up there. If we add another perch it would but into the first at a 45 degree angle, and they could still all snuggle. Or should I just let the pecking order run its course and eventually a few will get bumped.
I had 24 feet of roosts for 26 birds, Better ratio than you, but they started fighting on the roosts so I added roosts to the coop. They still all basically set in the same place but they can walk around on them to get things sorted, then settle in. If you have room, I would. We added like 8' by cutting down branches and weaving em together. On my page there is a picture. the left ones were there to start, we added the ones across the back and right side. They do seem to fight less now.
Quote:I love your setup. One of the best that I have seen. Very nice and cozy and CLEAN. Great job!!!!
If my hens could use swords my coop would sound like the 3 musketeers in a fight. They sound like they hate each other. Well at least 2 do. My black sexlink and the production red. Wow what an attitude.
It seems that all birds want to be on the top roost no matter what. Ours never bumped any off but watching the last ones trying to get on was downright painful. I'd put another roost at a 45 degree angle to the top roost if there is space. That might help that "political jockying" that goes on when they all want to get on the top rung. Best of luck!
Thanks for the advice. I will add another upper roost. Everyone gets along so well now, I don't want something so simple to change the dynamics of the flock.
