Space to get on roost?

[JML72]

Hi all, (just be forewarned I have too much fun with those smiley-face options!)

I found out I'm getting an extra chick in my order

Good thing I haven't built the coop yet!

I'm making a coop 4x8x4 tall. I was going to build a 4ft roost front-to-back offset to one side and to accommodate a poop board that is approx 20" wide and about 6" from the wall. That would allow the roost to be about 16" from the wall. I was planning a board about 24" off the ground, roost about 6" above that.

Now I'm realizing that 48" of space isn't enough for 3 regular/med size and 3 bantams.

If I put the roost side-to-side (96") and put a poop board underneath, then we're talking two feet of space front-to-board for them to get up on the roost. If I put two front-to-back roosts on either side, I'd have about 4 feet in between the poop boards for them to get up on the roosts.

The only other idea I had was to put both roosts parallel front-to-back, offset on the same side of the coop, so it would be 16" from the wall, then what - 12" to the second roost, and then another 10" after that, taking up 38" of room for them to get up on the roosts. That would give them just under 5 feet of "open air space" to get up (be it a ladder or flying).

Does anyone have a thought on the best way to do this? Or am I over-thinking the heck out of it and need to just stop and say "they're chickens. They'll be fine no matter what?"

 

[Ridgerunner]

You are over-thinking it. They are chickens and they will work out how to get up there.

I'll throw out a suggestion. Make it 12" from the wall, not 16". That 4" doesn't sound like much, but it will help. Ands 12" from the wall is plenty of space.

A 48" long roost gives them an average of 8" each. That is normally enough for 6 full sized hens, and half of yours are bantams. I prefer to give more space on the roost myself, but I have broodies raise chicks with the flock and I integrate chicks, so I need extra space. You seem pretty well locked in to your current flock.

If you wish, you can run the roost along the long side of the coop. Start against one wall, but make your roost 5' or 6' long and support the other end either with a hanger from the ceiling or a support from the side.

Or run your 4' one along the end and put a small piece big enough for one or two hens along the side by suspending it from the ceiling or supporting it from the wall. I don't think it's necessary and it makes your droppings board harder, but you have options.

 

[JML72]

Thanks RR. I figured I'm trying to make this more difficult than it need be. I always saw 12" per bird (regular size). Thanks for the insight.

Am I on the right track in terms of poop board width?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I have not done a droppings board quite like that, but you are probably pretty close. I'd butt it against the wall and go with a total of 24" wide, with the roost 12" from the wall. You'll get the vast majority of it that way.

Something else I'd consider. I'm not sure you will have enough room with t he board only 6" beneath the roost to reach back to the wall without rubbing the back of your hand against the bottom of the roost. That might depend on what you plan to scrape with, so think about that access. I use a garden hoe that broke so I have a short handle to reach with and a squeegee to do the closer scraping so I don't break my window with that hoe handle. But my droppings board is 3' wide (actually the top of my brooder) and I have two parallel roosts over it so mine is different than yours.

 

[JML72]

Yes that's a very good point. I was planning on making a tray system so I could slide it from under the roost. I was thinking with it just about 6" the bantams wouldn't be too tempted to go finger paint through the droppings board.

One more question - sorry to sound stupid If I did decide to put parallel roosts in there, is 12" space between them sufficient to keep them from annoying each other at bed time?

I think I'm getting the picture - thanks tons for the help!

 

[Ajones]

Ok, I'm new to this, what do I need a poop board for?

 

[Ridgerunner]

12" is the generally recommended horizontal clearance from walls and between roosts. I use crooked tree limbs so I can't say 12" is what I use but that is my general target.

You don't "need" a poop board. Many of us use them. Chickens poop a lot when they are on the roost. The poop can build up under the roosts and stay wet and get stinky. There are a lot of different ways to deal with this. You can rake it into the bedding of your coop is big enough, you can change the bedding regularly, or you can collect it and remove it. One of the many different ways to collect it is to put a droppings board under the roost and scrape the poop off that into a container. This helps your bedding last a lot longer and is great for your compost heap.