What is the best shape for a roost?

[k2panman]

Is there one shape that's better than others for a roost? I've seen some who use 2x4s - but do chickens prefer to stand on something that is rounded, or is flat better? How do you really know (has anyone asked their chickens? - have they given you an answer?

 

[Tiana's chickens]

I've had both and they seemed to like both the same

 

[Hokum Coco]

Is there one shape that's better than others for a roost?

The higher the roost the more desirable in most cases. I personally use 2x4 wide side up (more a matter of convenience than anything else) that is used by the majority on this site. That being said there are almost as many that supply their chickens with natural branches which work just fine also.

 

[Mimi13]

I have always wondered about this, but since I just built a new coop and added birds to it I can actually answer it now.
I read everywhere that “birds like a flat surface to roost on” so I placed 2x4’s flat side up when installing them, even though I live in central Alabama where frost bite is not a real concern for my chickens’ toes.
The next step was placing the littles on the roosts when it came time. Now bear in mind up until now these littles were used to bunching up together in shavings under their heat plate, except for the occasional napping during the day on the little tree branch roosts I made for them. (I did not start putting them on the roosts until they no longer needed the heat and showed signs they were ready. Mainly, they were flying up to the nest box perches, which happen to be made out of tree limbs, to roost at night. Even though these perches aren’t very high, they are higher than the coop floor, but not as high as the roosts - to the right in the picture below.)

They were about 6 weeks old when I began placing them on the “flat side up” roosts. The problem I noticed was the littles “thought” they were still on the ground because their feet were flat and their little bodies rested perfectly on the flat board. With this mindset they were still trying to root underneath each other jockeying for a better sleeping position until, ka-blook, they fell off and landed on the droppings board and, left to their own solution, would have remained on the poop board to sleep. Not the right answer here. Every night for about 10 nights, I stayed with them until all were successfully settled on their flat roosts. I was not there in the mornings to see if all had remained on the roost, however, I never noticed any with droppings on any that possibly would have fallen during the night. Anyway, the nighttime routine was not progressing like I thought it should so I changed the 2x4’s to the short side up. Now granted their little feet still weren’t quite big enough to “wrap” around the edges, but they could feel that they were not on the ground and had no more problems staying on the roosts (other than learning to walk the length of the then narrower roosts. It is humorous, even still.
I wish that I could find tree limbs the correct size that are straight and 13’ long. If I ever do, I believe I will replace the 2x4’s. IMHO I think birds prefer the roundedness of a tree limb/branch.

 

[Spartan22]

They prefer wider branches/wood than skinny rounded ones, I got 2x4s, 2x2s and other thicker diameter branches as their roosting bars. Though the younger ones preferred the 2”, the key is as long as their stable and strong enough to go up and down to perch, some like to be in the highest perches for feeling of safety. I got 13 different perches (roosting bars) in my coop and run, but my 1-2 year olds hens prefer to roost way up in the rafters 7’ high and those are 2” wide.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I did ask the birds. They said people worry about this a lot more than chickens do.

Chickens like to sleep at the highest point they can. They also can have favorite spots in the coop, for mine it is next to the window. The chickens highest in the pecking order get to sleep wherever they wish. They can get into a rut as to where they sleep.

With these thoughts in mind I tested it. My original roosts were tree branches. So I put up some 2x4's flat and saw what happened over the next couple of weeks. I turned them on edge and did it again. I moved them around some to mix things up in case they were just in a rut.

My conclusion is that the chickens just don't care.

If you do use a 2x4 or other sawed wood, I suggest you sandpaper the sharp edges. That's not to smooth out the edges to make it more comfortable for them, that's to get rid of potential splinters.

 

[snow5164]

I like the 2x4 flat side up because it’s easier to clean but also I like that they can cover their complete foot on that width.

Play yard has many natural branches and logs for the day , but a night mine sleep on a nice wide perch .

 

[jreardon1918]

Have 2x4 thin side up for the roost. Their feet survived last winter. For me, wide side would just invite more poops hitting it than the poop board below. The run has a pretty thick branch, 3" for a roost.

 

[jthornton]

I wish that I could find tree limbs the correct size that are straight and 13’ long. If I ever do, I believe I will replace the 2x4’s. IMHO I think birds prefer the roundedness of a tree limb/branch.

A hand plane can ease the edges of the 2x4 to replicate a branch in shape. Even on my 2x3 with the rounded edge up their feet just disappear when they sit down so I don't buy the theory that you need a 2x4 wide edge up to prevent frostbite... and as you notice the birds will vote with their feet!

JT

 

[imnukensc]

At least one chicken prefers a steering wheel.