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

[Rockdale Chick]

I have 2x4 flat side up in the coop and large (4 inch diameter) raised logs in the run. They use the logs in the day and flat boards at night. They don't seam to care as long as what they roost on isn't too small for their feet.

 

[sarahconnor]

Just a fun poll. And please post below why you use your type and what you chickens tend to prefer!

Please also check out this poll: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/are-your-roosts-equal-heights.1403369/

We have shelves and the feeder dispenser box has a lid that raises and lowers so they pile onto that especially in winter. They sleep close together on all the shelves and ignore the bar.

 

[Strix-Aliana]

I’ve read that chickens like to roost flat-footed, so we use rectangular roosts flat side up so their feet can be flush against it.

 

[jbpoole]

I use thick branches 4”+ and 4x4. They use them all.

Excellent avatar !!!

 

[CraftyHen]

We use thick branches for all roosts in coop and for those in the runs.

 

[Wendee]

I have 2 4foot long rectangular roosts for my 9 Hens and they love them.

 

[Chickassan]

Square, round roots aren't ideal for clumsy fat chickens.

 

[Shahnaz13]

Huh. Six or seven votes but not many comments. We have 2x4's laid flat as roosts, as chickens don't grip with their feet like songbirds. They need a wide, flat surface. Songbirds and parrots grip with their toes and hunker down as they sleep. The more they relax and the lower their bodies sink, the more tightly the tendon in their leg grips the branch, so the more deeply they sleep, the more tightly they grasp. Not so with chickens!

Ours have a choice - they can sleep inside 2 nesting houses or on the flat (tile) roof of the houses but all 5 of them prefer the round perches to roost on. 3 are bantams, 1 silkie and Josie is a big chicken (a rescue, she didn't say what she is ;-). I never see them resting or sleeping on the flat surfaces - only the pheasants love them during the day and at night they move to the highest perches. Do you think ours are different because they are Spanish?

 

[Ms Frizzle]

Just a fun poll. And please post below why you use your type and what you chickens tend to prefer!

Please also check out this poll: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/are-your-roosts-equal-heights.1403369/

 

[Berniejane]

I have round roosts that most of the adult birds use, but the younger ones prefer to sleep on the shelves in the coop that are at the same level.

Mine too!