Tiered or level roosts?

[seafood]

Last night I slapped together a roost system. 3 tiers about 10" between them (horizontally) and about 12" between them in height.

I saw some photos on here of level roosts where the hens are all at the same height. I am thinking this would be nice for cleaning purposes underneath and possible would reduce in fighting.

Advantages/disadvantages to level vs. tiered roosts?

If I choose to go with a level system...is 3 feet off the ground high enough?

thanks...still awaiting my delivery!

 

[twigg]

As far as I can work out, either system has it's adherents. If you bank perches up and away from the access point, then early roosters will go to the top leaving easy access to the lower perch for later arrivals.

Either way, it seems best to make sure the perches are higher than the nest boxes to discourage roosting in the boxes.

I have seen some folk recommend that perches are all at the same hieght too

I have never set perches much more that 2 ft off the ground, especially for the heavier breeds that might land hard in the morning, but I have seen them 3 ft or more with no apparent problems.

You pays your money, and makes your choice!

 

[countrygirl4513]

With tiered roosts the chickens lower in the hierarchy sleep usually on the lower roosts, the power players get the top. I use tiered because those that sleep below don't get bombed by poop from up above. I have 3 roosts in stair step fashion about 2 ft up from each level, the lowest one starts about 3 ft off the ground the highest one is near the ceiling.

 

[Sandrachx]

we tried tiering them, but being new at chickens and their pecking order, i couldn't stand the cut-throat meanness. so, we put them all at the same height, about 3.5 ft from the ground with a "poop shelf" about 6" underneath. this allows the chickens to have the complete floor to wander while housebound in the snow and rainy season. it works great for us and there is hardly any jostling for best position anymore. their flooring is about 8-10" of the deep litter (straw and wood shavings) so they have a coushy area to drop down on. we have one of their feed canisters suspended from a hook under the poop tray and one hanging under the nesting boxes. the poop tray and roosting poles have also given our young rooster a good place to go when his father puts him in detention... lota words, but hope that helps answer your request for feedback.

 

[Dixiedoodle]

Would it matter if the roosts were for large or bantam breeds?? Thanks Dixie

 

[rooster-red]

When I built my main coop I was curios as to which would workout better, so I built both!

one tiered withe the top tier 3' high, and a flat roost on the opposing wal also 3' high.

the tiered roost always has extra spaces on both upper and lower tiers, while the flat roost is always full at bedtime.

Pecking order doesn't seem to play a big part in who sleeps on which roost (although the head hen always sleeps on one side of him), my rooster has slept on both tiers and the flat one.

 

[rooster-red]

Quote:
I always build them with large breeds in mind and if I have bantams they use the large roost just fine.

 

[seafood]

RoosterRed,

For you roosts that are level and all at 3'. Can they just fly up there easy enough or do you have a ladder/walkway or something else for them to get up there?

thanks.