What do you think of the Roosting situation ???

[ButtersMama]

We are building a coop from plans for Purina. I'm wondering what you all think of the roosting ladder?

http://poultry.purinamills.com/stellent/groups/public/documents/web_content/ecmd0007989.pdf

 

[froggiesheins]

Instead of dowels I would use 2x4s 4" side for them to roost on. Keeps their feet under their bodies better for those cold winter nights. I also think it is easier for them to roost on too. Now, I think this coop would look MUCH better if it was in my yard!

 

[elmo]

Personally, I like to make all the roosts the same level to avoid squabbling over the higher spots. And chickens won't always roost facing the front, as shown in the picture. I'd be a little concerned that 12" between roosts might mean that chickens on the lower rungs would get pooed on by the chickens higher up.

The other issue with a ladder roost is that it might be difficult to get under the roost to clean out the droppings unless you made the roost removeable or hinged so that you could swing it up and out of the way.

 

[jenni22776rn]

Nice coop..the only thing I see that might be an issue is the roost..my ladies like to sleep all on the same roost..you might have some problems with them all trying to be on the same roost on top and have some fighting..I think the pooping on each other might be a bigger mess! Otherwise...very cool coop!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Agree on using 2x4 for bars and lay them flat to give a 4" flat roosting position. Protects their feet much better.

 

[ButtersMama]

Thank you so much for the replies.

Another question..............

If we don't make the ladder, then 2 x 4's x 45 " wide for 5 chickens? Is this enough room for them? If we do 2 x 45" wide...how do we position them?
Any ideas are appreciated.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Yes, 9" per bird is enough for the typical large fowl. They rather like being snuggled close, especially in winter.

5 birds @ 9" each = 45"

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Agreed on the roosts needing to be same level, you can even have 2 as long as 12" from each other and wall. You may want to orient the nesting boxes to the side so they can be lower than the roosts or chickens will roost there and poo in the nests. Also with nests on side you wont need to enter the run to check eggs. And 17" is enough room for chickens under coop but hanging feeders so they wont scratch food out and ease of adding food needs to be 24

 

[froggiesheins]

Nother suggestion; on the poop boards, cover with heavy guage vinyl staples down OR stick in place tiles to make clean up SO eze/ just scrape right into the pick-up can. And you can disinfect w/ bleach or Oxine and smell goes; adios. LOL

 

[anitalogan]

I have a question about roosts and thought this thread would be a good place to ask. Uhhhh, I don't have a roost at all. It never occurred to me when we built the coop from someone else's design. It has been about a month and they haven't complained yet. Now I am reading all these posts about coops that include nifty roosts. Am I hurting my three hens by not providing a place to sit other than the nesting area? I am not sure how I would add a roost to this design. Your comments are very welcome.