Show Me Your Ladder Style Roost

[muircheartaigh]

I am curious about the weight bearing capacity of each roost. Are the 2 x 4 "rungs" end nailed into the ladder arms? I've designed a hinged ladder roost with rungs that are 46" wide and I am curious if several end nails will provide enough support to bear the weight of my heavier heritage breed layers.

 

[SD Bird Lady]

I am curious about the weight bearing capacity of each roost. Are the 2 x 4 "rungs" end nailed into the ladder arms? I've designed a hinged ladder roost with rungs that are 46" wide and I am curious if several end nails will provide enough support to bear the weight of my heavier heritage breed layers.

My roost spans across the coop approx. 6 ft. so I had to trade out the nails for screws. As the boards bowed to the weight of the birds the nails pulled but haven't had any problems since I switched to screws. I need to add a support in the middle I think but haven't had any problems so it is on the back burner for now.

 

[muircheartaigh]

I think i'll cross brace at three points (top, middle, and bottom) with 1 x 4 rough sawn and that should keep the roosts tight. I wouldn't mind slight bowing but anything more than that and I may have to trouble shoot mine as well. Thanks for the pics and tips. Cheers!

 

[pshay4]

Songbirds have feet which automatically grasp when they land. While they sleep, their feet hold on. Chickens do not have grasping feet. A wide, flat perch is ideal for them, because they are basically just sitting up there. It is lots of work for a large chicken to grip a small dowel or 2"x2" perch all night.