What shape of roosts do you use in your chicken coop?

[RumneyRoost]

I use 2x4 flat/wide side up.
If I lived somewhere warm year round than I wouldn’t care so much.
But when it’s dark for 14-15 hrs/day and the temp dips to -30C I want to make sure those toes stay warm.

 

[RoosterML]

And what did they say they liked

Wide side up . And if its not they are flying to the rafters they said

 

[Flockincrazy]

Ok in my main coop when I put in the roosts I put in tree branches from a tree we cut down i posted pics the other day so when I decided to build a second coop and rescue/adopt roosters that were either not wanted or couldn't be kept due to city ordinances I used the same thing for roosts branches from a tree we cut down i was told by the previous owners of some of the roosters that they've never gotten on the roost before that all they ever did was huddle in the corner on the floor well not any more i love it they're all on the roosts and off the floor

 

[Builder Dan]

I aftually use old branches of a tree, it gives them a rougher surface to hold on to and personally I think it looks cool.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Just stumbled over an old article I read here in the UK and reminded me of this thread. It's very interesting, although they don't link to the source info: https://www.yourchickens.co.uk/care-and-advice/the-perfect-perch-1-2842822

Thanks, I had not seen that article or the German study it referenced. It was an interesting read. I could not find that study but I'll admit I did not search really hard. Maybe someone else more diligent would have better results.

The results of a study like this will depend on the assumptions they make when setting up the study and the criteria they judge it by. Why did they choose the size perches they tested? I'd love to see why they chose to not test a large diameter round perch or a wide flat perch, for example. Are their assumptions on the importance of pressure that important? Would other factors perhaps be more important? Not just mites but maybe how much below freezing or how hot it might be? I'm sure there are others.

They make a good case for what they are studying but I consider it more one piece of the puzzle and not the entire picture.

 

[BecaHawaii]

We have rectangle flat side up. With bamboo from around our yard interwoven between the two roosts. My chickens are wild caught jungle fowl so they like all kinds of mixed up worlds. My free range girls had 16 chicks we wrangled 9.

 

[Compost King]

I just use what I have handy when I slap a coop together. I prefer 2x3's sideways but sometimes I just use Bamboo... chickens hate Bamboo roosts BTW.

 

[M Brennen]

My guess would be they like the rafters because of how high they are. They told me they didn’t like 2x4 on edge

And what did they say they liked

 

[M Brennen]

Flat side up . And if its not they are flying to the rafters they said

I guess they just have to deal with it

 

[M Brennen]

Your lucky the local 115 union of chicken rights hasn’t found out yet

I am! Those unions can be very strong!