What to use to build roosts?

[ticks]

I am definatley using 2x4 because I live in vermont

 

[kids&chicks]

We are in SC and my husband is using bamboo
He attached some 2x4's extended from the wall of the coop and then attached bamboo from the 2x4's.
Our ladies love it!

 

[blurose]

I went down to my local bargin/recycled building materials place and got 2" round closet poles. They are big enough around to fit my heavy hens' feet just right. Also, one side of the poles is flattened if you have hens with smaller feet. I can have an 8' long roost hanging up without needing any support in the middle. I have two of these crisscrossing my henhouse, holding up 13 heavy hens. Also, since they are only 2" around, no poop builds up that would need to be cleaned off like a flat 2x4 would. My hens do quite well at keeping their feet warm just by sitting on them with temps getting down into the high 20s and low 30s here.

 

[Cetawin]

2 x 4's, not pressure treated with the wide side up for them to sit on. About 24" off the ground is good as a minimum and I would say 4' as a high.

If the edges are sharp or splintering, round them just a bit.

You can coat the roost with oil to make it easier to clean.

Any oil that is ingestible safe will do.

 

[SteveAntilles]

We used an old closet rod, about 1 1/2 inch diameter. The chickens seem to enjoy it.

 

[Davaroo]

You can keep it "au naturale," too, and just use stout tree branches of the proper diameter. The chickens wont mind, and it may save you a trip.

 

[Shaun Hagan]

I used small (2-2.5 inch dia.) trees that we trimmed from around the property edge to make mine.

 

[5peeps]

I used 1x1's

 

[Davaroo]

SO I guess were getting the sense of it, now. ANYTHING will do as long as it is about 2" in diameter and made of wood. Remember, no metal roosts.