What to use for roosts

[rubysmom]

What size do roosts for 4-6 week old chicks need to be or does it matter? I am wondering about the size around dimension. Should they be wood or could you use PVC pipe?
thanks

 

[Cheep Mama]

Hello!! We used a shower curtain rod in our brooder for them to roost on. I sure you could use any material for the roost. Our rod seemed a little slippery at first for them so we wrapped duct tape around it for traction. Obviously, sticky side down! Good luck!

 

[gumpsgirl]

I'm just using a tree branch in my brooder right now. I've also seen people use 2x4's in their henhouses with the 2" side up for them to roost on. I would assume that anything that isn't slippery or that they can get a good grip on would be okay. Of course not the poisonous plants, but anything else should be a go! Happy Chicken Raising!

 

[CUDA]

Wood is definitely best.

 

[airmom1c05]

Wood gets my vote. Chickens don't perch like other birds; they literally sit with their feet as flat as possible so they can balance the weight of their breasts. Some mods advise using a 2x4 with the 4" side up! That would work for young chicks and also very large chickens.

 

[Chirpy]

As long as it isn't slippery you can use many things.

My preference is using a 2x4 with the 4" side up so the chick/chickens can sit on their feet to keep them warm. Here, in Colorado, that's an issue it may not be where you are.

 

[plapczynski]

My 4 week olds have been using a 1"x1" since they were born. They now have both a 1x1 and a 2"x2" perch. I just nailed them to a 2x4 to get them off the bedding.

BTW at first it's a chicken limbo pole....

 

[CUDA]

Quote:
That's not exactly true airmom, chickens can perch like other birds with no problem. I do agree with the wider roosts if you live in a cold climate if you want to keep the toes on your fowl. In most cases though, the 2 inch side up will be wide enough for the birds to cover their toes, but some breeds that are tight feathered need the 4 inch side up to be safe. BTW, I use wood because it doesn't get cold like some other materials do in the winter, so it works better for them to avoid frostbite this way too. Good luck!

 

[rubysmom]

thank you so much everybody. We are learning a ton about chickens!!!!!!!!!

 

[kevin2010]

it would probably be best to use a tree branch insted of pvc because it would get so slippery