Showing Off My Coop at Bed Time

[micstrachan]

Hi everyone,
So I’ve had a tremendously tough week and am a little emotionally fragile, so I wanted to share my adorable roosting girls at bed time.
We have sort of a staggered double decker. You can see the second level through a doorway in the first level.
I love these little feathered friends so much (full-on crazy chicken lady here) and I am pleased with the way they are utilizing their space. I think I have room for a couple more within the next couple years, too!
Thanks for letting me share. The photo quality is lousy, but I know my BYC friends can relate!

 

[micstrachan]

Ummm... and don’t mind the yellow steering wheel on the second level. It was inside the play structure deck before hubby enclosed it for the addition and didn’t remove it first. Seriously???

 

[venymae]

looking good! I kinda like the steering wheel! lol. Now your chooks can play cars.

 

[hlhutchinson]

Ummm... and don’t mind the yellow steering wheel on the second level. It was inside the play structure deck before hubby enclosed it for the addition and didn’t remove it first. Seriously???

lol I think it great

 

[fightingbunny]

I like how the one chicken has her foot out trying to block the camera and the others have their butts to the camera. Shy chickens!

 

[JeanR]

They might be more comfortable roosting on flat roosts (maybe 1x2s or a bit wider ), as chicken feet do not naturally curl around like wild song bird's feet, designed for roosting on round branches. Even pheasants rarely roost at night, as their toes do not naturally curl, either. They would not have to try to balance when flying up to roost. Just an idea for the chickens comfort. Such lovely hens--and maybe just fine, the way they roost now?

 

[imnukensc]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the OP's roosts.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the OP's roosts.

Actually that is true. Chickens do not roost like song birds. They do not grasp and cling to a branch.

Chickens prefer to sit flat footed on a level bar, so they can hunker down over their feet. This protects their toes from both predators (mice and rats) as well as frostbite.

Ideally, the roosting bar should be the length of a chicken's foot...2x2's and even better, 2x4's work well for that.

To the OP, you look like you have used very large branches, which approximates a wider surface, so it may be working well for you.

Lovely photos. Lovely birds. I'm glad they provide stress release for you. My birds do for me as well.

LofMc

http://countrysidenetwork.com/daily/poultry/chicken-coops-housing/guide-to-chicken-roosting-bars/

https://www.mypetchicken.com/backyard-chickens/chicken-help/What-is-a-roost-H322.aspx

 

[micstrachan]

Thanks. The upper roosts are very thick branches... as wide as 2x4s. The one roost with the Barred Rock and Brown Leghorn is a bit thin; I just haven’t gotten around to changing it, but I will at some point. Thanks for the reminder.
I have been focusing my efforts on theirs “sunroom” which is really a mini pen on the south side of the building so they can have sun in the winter months.
Next, a swing in the big pen! These girls keep me busy, and I love it!

 

[tigger19687]

awww cute ! I have a white one just like yours