What type of roost should I use?

[Folly's place]

They want to roost in trees! That's why a 'rounded' 2"x2" piece of wood works so well. And for many of us, tree branches or saplings.
Mary

 

[centrarchid]

I'll hazard a guess that fewer than 1 person in 100 on BYC is even aware that scientific studies have been undertaken to determine the optimum size and shape of roost bars, and fewer than 1 in 100 would follow them even if they did know.

To the OP, if you want to provide what poultry science says you should, it would be a 2 x 2 or even more better, a 2 x 4 ripped down the middle to present to them a 1.5" x 1.75" roost, narrow side up, with topside edges eased over a bit. About like you would get with a 1/4" round over router bit. Some 2 x 4 studs are sold that way.....with a nice, rounded over edge.

The notion of a 2 x 4 flat side up to keep toes warm is silly on it's face, but the concept sure sells well around here.

Nail in the head in so many ways.

 

[Folly's place]

Or is it 'nail on the head'???
Mary

 

[centrarchid]

Or is it 'nail on the head'???
Mary

Either/or, result same.

 

[Thechickentrainer1999]

I'm uncertain why the myth is continually perpetuated on this forum that chickens can't cover their toes on anything except a 2x4 with the 4" side facing up, that it's "better" for them, and that chickens can't/weren't meant to perch. I've even read on this forum that a chicken had no muscles in its feet. Really?

Here's a little light reading for you: https://academic.oup.com/ps/article/90/4/715/1514426

And here's a chicken that can cover its toes quite well on a dadgum steering wheel. Compare it to the one roosting in the foreground.

View attachment 1487895

Which one would you say is healthiest though for the hen from what this article states?

 

[imnukensc]

Which one would you say is healthiest though for the hen from what this article states?

See Folly's Place and Howard E's posts.

 

[Thechickentrainer1999]

See Folly's Place and Howard E's posts.

So I guess rounded 2x2s are the best/healthiest.

 

[jreardon1918]

We have 2x4s narrow side up. No frostbite.

 

[KSH1]

I'll hazard a guess that fewer than 1 person in 100 on BYC is even aware that scientific studies have been undertaken to determine the optimum size and shape of roost bars, and fewer than 1 in 100 would follow them even if they did know.

To the OP, if you want to provide what poultry science says you should, it would be a 2 x 2 or even more better, a 2 x 4 ripped down the middle to present to them a 1.5" x 1.75" roost, narrow side up, with topside edges eased over a bit. About like you would get with a 1/4" round over router bit. Some 2 x 4 studs are sold that way.....with a nice, rounded over edge.

The notion of a 2 x 4 flat side up to keep toes warm is silly on it's face, but the concept sure sells well around here.

Same dimensions for XL birds? I have some Light Brahmas and Black Jersey Giants coming... Thanks!

 

[micstrachan]

Funny, the hen on the steering wheel is mine. The steering wheel is still (partially) there, though covered in a towel. However, she no longer gets to roost there. That spot is reserved for my top hen.

I finally remembered why I started the towels! My black Australorp had a raw spot on her breast. I kept them since they provide good grip. It also makes it easy to clean when I swap them out.

Anyway, I mostly use THICK redwood branches. I have one 2x4 wide side up and one 2x4 wide side up down by the floor for daytime use. My birds also love their outdoor/daytime perches, which are not as thick as the roosts.