Suggestions on redoing roost inside my coop

[Darlene E]

I’m new to chickens, having just gotten my 3 this spring. I’m thinking of re-doing the roost in my coop. I have a couple of ideas but am not sure what would be the best option. And would like to ask for advice/ideas from more experienced chicken keepers/coop builders.

The coop is 4’x8’ with external nest boxes and right now has a free standing roost. The nest box opening is 24” above the floor. The current roost is 22” wide and 36” long. The heights are 18”, 24” and 36”.

right wall

back wall

left wall

My girls just started using the roost a few days ago and I’m not satisfied with the current arraignment.

One choice would be a double-tiered roost 4 ft long at the middle of the back wall. Right now I only have 3 Rhode Island Reds so one roost would be enough. But I’d like to get 4 or 5 more chickens next spring (I figure the coop (and 10’x10’ run) will accommodate a max of 8 chickens) so will eventually need more roost space.

With two tiers of roosts 1) 40” up from the floor and 1ft out from the wall 2) 28” up from the floor and 22” out from the wall and a poop shelf 24” out from the wall and 24” high.

See the pics below for a rough idea of what I mean.

At 2 ft wide they would have another 2 ft open space to the front of the coop/door and on the left side and 2 ft from the end of the roost to the wall with the nest boxes. My question is – is that enough space for them to easily be able to get up to the 28” roost? Would they need a ramp? I’m figuring if they need a ramp it will need to run along the front of the roost to one end.

Of course the whole thing including ramp will seriously cut down on my available “walking” space, but the chickens would have plenty of room underneath.

Another option would be one roost along the whole back wall, about 36” to 40” high, 12” to 18” out from the wall, with a poop shelf underneath. At that height it would need a ramp, which could run along the front. I’m kind of leaning towards this one as it would give me more room to move around the coop.

I don’t want to change it and make it too hard for them to get up to the roost, and then have to take it all out again and start over once I realize it isn’t working. So I would love some advice/suggestions/ideas from people with more experience with coops/chickens.

Thanks.

 

[jthornton]

I would put a single roost higher than the nest box with a poop board under with some Sweet PDZ. I'd make the poop board at least 24" deep and 30" if you have the room. If you must go with a double roost make them the same height and 24" apart. If they don't have a ramp then they need room to fly down so for every foot in height you need a foot in length plus stopping room. Say for example if they had to fly down from 4' high they need 4' out plus a few feet of braking room so they don't slam into something.

In a 4' x 8' coop I would have made a single nest box 30" deep on the 4' wall and use the top as a poop board with the roost centered over the poop board.

JT

 

[Darlene E]

I would put a single roost higher than the nest box with a poop board under with some Sweet PDZ. I'd make the poop board at least 24" deep and 30" if you have the room. If you must go with a double roost make them the same height and 24" apart. If they don't have a ramp then they need room to fly down so for every foot in height you need a foot in length plus stopping room. Say for example if they had to fly down from 4' high they need 4' out plus a few feet of braking room so they don't slam into something.

In a 4' x 8' coop I would have made a single nest box 30" deep on the 4' wall and use the top as a poop board with the roost centered over the poop board.

JT

Thank you for the reply. It will definitely need a ramp then, with the coop only 4x8 there's not enough open space for them to fly up or down. Yes, if I had it to do over I would do the nest boxes differently. I'm going to go with your suggestion of a single roost along the 8 ft wall. I'm thinking 36" high.

Thanks again.

 

[aart]

I'm going to go with your suggestion of a single roost along the 8 ft wall. I'm thinking 36" high.

Yes!
It only needs to be higher than the nests, then you won't need a ramp.

4' is tight, my brooder section is 4x6', with a ~12" poop board, and I sure wish it was bigger. There's usually a concrete block sitting tall-wise there as a step up and down...
...and separating wall comes down when chicks are about 6 weeks.

 

[Darlene E]

Yes!
It only needs to be higher than the nests, then you won't need a ramp.

4' is tight, my brooder section is 4x6', with a ~12" poop board, and I sure wish it was bigger. There's usually a concrete block sitting tall-wise there as a step up and down...
...and separating wall comes down when chicks are about 6 weeks.
View attachment 1548565

Thanks for replying. The nesting boxes are 24" off the floor, so I could go as low as 30" for the roost and be 6" higher than the nests. Do you think they would have trouble getting up and down without a ramp at that height?

 

[Darlene E]

I'm going to try building the new roost this weekend. I wanted to ask what kind of sand to get? I remember reading somewhere on this forum not to use construction sand.

Also how much pdz do you mix in with the sand? 50-50?

 

[aart]

Also how much pdz do you mix in with the sand? 50-50?

For a poop board?
I've gone to using straight PDZ...less than 1/4" deep, scrape and sift daily.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...s-poop-pictures.621363/page-178#post-18966048

 

[Darlene E]

For a poop board?
I've gone to using straight PDZ...less than 1/4" deep, scrape and sift daily.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...s-poop-pictures.621363/page-178#post-18966048

Thanks, and thanks for the link to the other thread. It was very helpful and pointed out some things I hadn't thought about.

Off to TSC to get the PDZ. Then start cutting boards and supports.