Two Questions, Need Advice Please

[stcroixusvi]

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My copy says 2" x 2" rounded is ideal (pg 74-76). No where does she mention 2 x 4 - just clarifying.

 

[flowergirl60]

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[Pele]

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I've never been real impressed with Storey's guide to raising chickens but everyone else seems to think they are gospel. Birds roosts on branches...yes, even chickens. Branches are round, not flat. The problem, I'm sure, is not a bit about the OP's round roosts. Three generations of raising chickens on round roosts tells me so....of course, I've never written a book about it but I'm pretty darn sure most old chicken farmers haven't either.

I'd agree with you when it comes to bantams, or smaller breeds, but for the larger breeds, I have to disagree. Most birds havn't had humans tinkering with their DNA for thousands of years to make them bigger and better suited to humans like chickens have. Some breeds of chicken are so heavy that they can't walk, much less fly. Expecting a Cornish or a Jersey Giant to comfortably roost on a dowel-rod is going to get you chickens on the floor, fast!

In my mind, it's like having a little kid sit on a narrow bicycle seat and having no problem, then a heavy adult sitting on the same seat and getting a sore butt for a week after. My big-butt SLs get 2 2x4s laid flatwise and about 4 inches apart. That way if they need to sit on one they can; and if they need to sit between two, they can. I know my biggest chicken, Darla, LOVES to sit spanning the both of the boards. It irritates the other hens to no end

That being said, I think the OPs issue is coming from a combined problem of a round and thin roost, and really hot nights. Remember heat rises, and almost all types of earth have insulating properties. I know if I had to spend the night in that coop, I'd avoid the hot ceiling, and just lay in the cool sand. Ahhhhh

 

[NewOldMotherHen]

I don't own Storey's Guide but I did find Page 33 as part of an advertisement for the book and it says 2 inches wide OK for "regular-sized chickens."

 

[Beekissed]

The OP's roosts are not a dowel rod and they are approx. the same size as a 2X2 in width, from what I'm seeing. I personally don't use dowel rods either, but actually saplings that are approx. 3 x 3 in. (across the sitting sitting surface). All my dual purpose birds have always been quite comfortable with my round roosts which are modeled to the size and circumference of their favorite branches in my apple trees....they will often roost in them in the daytime. In the winter, people passing by are quite amused to see these big "domestic" birds roosting like sparrows in the lower limbs of my trees.

Some breeds of chicken are so heavy that they can't walk, much less fly. Expecting a Cornish or a Jersey Giant to comfortably roost on a dowel-rod is going to get you chickens on the floor, fast!

I'd venture to say, if your birds cannot walk or fly, they are not roosting, either....this makes the shape of the roost a moot point, I imagine. When you bend a chicken's legs at the knee, the toes naturally curl~try it and you will see...when they are straightened the toes splay, bent the toes curl. In the wild, this reflex keeps sleeping birds on a limb. I can't imagine how uncomfortable chickens must be to have their knees bent and their toes splayed flat. This isn't roosting, this is lying down on a flat surface...a narrow flat surface...and not being able to grasp that surface for stability.​

 

[ChicKat]

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Your set up looks really nice. My Barred Rocks started laying at 6months. So you may have to wait a little longer than 18 weeks, but the red combs are a good indication that time is approaching. It is probably a good idea to uncover the nest boxes, and the eggs will help them get the idea that that will be a good place to lay eggs.

I think that the reason that the heat diminishes the egg production is that in the hottest part of the day the chickens tend to consume less feed, and I think that there is a direct correlation between feed and egg production. We have been having 99's and 100's here and heat indexes like 103 and 105 and my chickens are still laying---and eating. I expect that any day they may stop. I think that your chickens will begin to lay on time...and by then the heat will diminish. (Heard that Aug 3, 4 and 5 are the hottest days in South Texas---and then a diminishing temperature can be expected. )

good luck and hang in there---- soon you will be getting those eggs.

 

[dbounds10]

Correct, they are not dowel rods, they are the same thing you have hanging in your closet. I guess you could call it a dowel rod if you wanted to but they are pretty big. Like I said a few posts ago, we layed some 2x4 over the poles to see if they liked that any better. Last night 4 of them slept up on the 2x4 so I thought well maybe they like this better but tonight they were all on the floor again so I am leaning toward the sand floor being cooler than being on the roost. Who knows, chickens make me crazy! I just want them to be happy and I think that I over analyze everything!

I'll just be happy to get some EGGS~~~COME ONE LADIES~

 

[LunarRayne]

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I know exactly how you feel! I have a 19 week old BR that has really red comb and wattles and her hip bones are way more open (3 fingers wide) than the other pullets (1 finger wide) that are 2 weeks younger. My Aunt has a pullet the same age that has just started to lay, but she is an EE... I am so tired of waiting. I am going to church tomorrow, and with my luck, that is when she will lay...

I love your coop set up. I think you are right about the sand. I live in the Arklatex area and am also worried about the heat. I do not have sand, but I have hay. They tend to be fine through the night. My coop is 2 solid walls with the other 2 a combination of tin for the top and bottom with chicken wire across the middle, so it is very open to the breeze. They all pick there spots to sleep, however some do try to stay on the ground. I think it has more to do with the older more dominant chickens taking all the good spots, though. I do not have a roost bar, but we plan on using some of the trees branches we have for them to use for as roost.